Yakima Valley College Honors Local Civil Rights Leader M. Lorena González with Distinguished Alumnus Award

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Yakima Valley College has announced M. Lorena González as the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award. González is the legislative director of political strategies for the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington state. She is recognized for her contributions to civil rights and her career achievements. The award has been given to notable alumni since 1982, requiring recipients to have completed at least three quarters at YVC and earned a minimum of 45 credits.

González's background includes working as a migrant farm worker in Yakima Valley before becoming a recognized attorney and civil rights leader. She attended Yakima Valley College, supported by scholarships and grants, which she credits as a key starting point for her education and career in public service.

In her role at the ACLU, González advises on constitutional and civil liberties issues affecting local and state government. She also founded a community-private partnership that runs a free monthly bilingual legal clinic in Seattle, serving over 2,000 low-income residents since 2007.

Nationally, González has received several awards for her public service and civil rights work, including from the Washington State Bar Association and Seattle University’s School of Law. She has served on the Seattle City Council and as president of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington’s Board of Directors.