Evelyn Mantilla

Background

Mantilla was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico and moved to Hartford, Connecticut in 1978.

Career

She was first elected to represent the predominantly Latino 4th district in a special election held in February 1997, and she served for a time as Deputy Majority Leader. She came out as America"s first openly bisexual state official in 1997. She has held leadership positions with the National Council for Community and Justice and the Hartford Sexual Assault Crisis Service.

She chose not to run for re-election in 2006 and her term expired in January 2007.

She was succeeded by Democrat Kelvin Roldán.

Achievements

• She has received awards from the Connecticut Institute for Community Development and the National Association of Social Workers, among others