Lela Alston is a native Arizonan and a product of our state's public education system, from kindergarten to graduate school. She has been a champion of public schools, teachers, children, families, protecting women's health and reproductive choices, advancing opportunities for women, girls, aging Arizonans, our homeless and under-represented communities, throughout her career in the Arizona Legislature. Lela has been a member of the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board since 2008, serving as Board President in 2015, 2016 and 2021. She also taught in the district for 34 years. Senator Alston was instrumental in the planning of the ASU West Campus and she spearheaded the efforts to establish Metro Tech High School's licensed primary care facility in partnership with Banner Health Care, which provided free healthcare to students and their families. From 1977 through 1995, she served as an Arizona State Senator and was a member of the Appropriations Committee throughout her years in that chamber. She also served on the Education, Rules, Government, Commerce, Labor, Judiciary and Transportation Committees, and was part of the Senate Democratic Leadership team for 14 years. At the encouragement of Arizona legislators and community advocates, Lela ran for the Arizona House of Representatives in 2010 and served in the House for 8 years, representing Legislative District 24. In 2019, Lela returned to the Arizona State Senate.
