Bio
Cecilia Silva (she/her) serves as Community Engagement Manager at the ACLU of Texas, where she leads initiatives that strengthen partnerships and connect communities across Texas to the organization’s advocacy work protecting civil liberties and strengthening democracy. She initially joined the ACLU of Texas in 2023 on the development team and now serves on the Policy and Advocacy team, bringing together her experience as an organizer, program manager, and relationship builder to advance the organization’s mission.
A first-generation Mexican-American, Cecilia has built her career at the intersection of community engagement, democracy reform, and leadership development. In 2018, she made history as the first Latina to serve as Speaker of the Senate at The University of Texas at Arlington, where she led initiatives to expand student resources such as free feminine hygiene products on campus, extended therapy service hours, and the renaming of a university building.
Cecilia has worked with IGNITE National, the League of Women Voters of Dallas, and ReflectUS to cultivate civic leadership among high school and college students and working moms. During the 2022 midterm election, she served as a consultant for the Progressive Turnout Project, leading the Michigan program and coordinating more than 100 organizers across 90 campaigns.
Cecilia currently serves on the Board of Directors for Journey Forward Mentoring, as a mentor to a student in Dallas ISD, and is a member of The Callejo-Botello Foundation's Leadership Academy. She is also an alumna of The OpEd Project, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and IGNITE National.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at her pottery studio or going for a run with her fiancé and their cocker spaniel, Mae.