Maria de la Cruz has been a champion advocate of Underrepresented Minority Populations. She has worked on many projects from grassroots initiatives to serving on governmental committees. She has documented human rights violations in Central America, increased higher education accessibility to impoverished communities through 21st Century Grant initiatives, and lobbied for the legalization of Midwifery so women would have access to greater birth options. Maria grew up in poverty and attended college as a non traditional student. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and was the Valedictorian. These are a few of her accomplishments that mark her diverse, passionate journey towards equity for all.