Linda Chavez's Biography

Linda Chavez is chairman of the Center for Equal Opportunity, a non-profit public policy research organization in Sterling, Va. Linda Chavez also writes a weekly syndicated column that appears in newspapers across the country, is a political analyst for FOX News Channel, and hosts a syndicated, daily radio show on Liberty Broadcasting. Chavez authored "Out of the Barrio: Toward a New Politics of Hispanic Assimilation" (Basic Books, 1991), which the Denver Post described as a book that "should explode the stereotypes about Hispanics that have clouded the minds of patronizing liberals and xenophobic conservatives alike." National Review describes Linda Chavez's newest work, "An Unlikely Conservative: The Transformation of an Ex-Liberal" (Basic Books 2002), as a "brilliant, provocative, and moving book." In 2000, Linda Chavez was honored by the Library of Congress as a "Living Legend" for her contributions to America's cultural and historical legacy. In January 2001, Linda Chavez was President George W. Bush's nominee for Secretary of Labor until Linda Chavez withdrew her name from consideration.

Linda Chavez has held a number of appointed positions, among them Chairman, National Commission on Migrant Education (1988-1992); White House Director of Public Liaison (1985); Staff Director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1983-1985); and Linda Chavez was a member of the Administrative Conference of the United States (1984-1986). Linda Chavez was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Maryland in 1986. In 1992, Linda Chavez was elected by the United Nations' Human Rights Commission to serve a four-year term as U.S. Expert to the U.N. Sub-commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.

Linda Chavez was also editor of the prize-winning quarterly journal American Educator (1977-1983), published by the American Federation of Teachers, where Linda Chavez also served as assistant to AFT president Al Shanker (1982-1983) and assistant director of legislation (1975-1977).

Linda Chavez serves on the Board of Directors of ABM Industries Linda Chavez is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and was Co-Chair of the Council's Committee on Diversity (1998-2000).

Linda Chavez was born in Albuquerque, N.M., on June 17, 1947, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado in 1970. Linda Chavez is married and is the mother of three sons. Linda Chavez currently lives in Reston, Va.