Blanca Sanchez | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Brownsville, Texas | |
| In office 1999 – June 10, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Gonzalez |
| Succeeded by | Eddie Treviño |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 27, 1936 Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | February 19, 2014 (aged 77) Brownsville, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Filemon Vela Sr. (1962-2004) |
Blanca Sanchez Vela (May 27, 1936 – February 19, 2014) was an American politician and matriarch of one of the most prominent families in Brownsville, Texas.[1] Vela, who served as the Mayor of Brownsville from 1999 until 2003, was the city's first female mayor.[1][2] She remains the only woman to hold the mayoral office to date.[1][3] Vela was married to the late United States federal judge Filemon Vela Sr., while her three children include U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela Jr. (D-Texas).[1]