De Anna (she, her, ella) is a mother, an organizer, and a student for life. She is the daughter of a Mexican American mother and an African American father. Born and raised in Compton, California, De Anna realized at a young age that inequality exists and persists. Her family was impacted by the system through the constant incarceration of her father. Her mother raised three children as a full time working single mother.
As a young adult, De Anna spent time in Santa Cruz, CA and Washington D.C. learning from community organizers fighting against gentrification and displacement. This work led her back to her hometown where she and others founded the Compton Tenants Union to protect and inform working class renters about their rights during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2021 she graduated from UCLA with a degree in African American Studies.
De Anna was embraced by the Young Women’s Freedom Center as a young and pregnant recent graduate. Since joining the Center as a fellow in 2021, De Anna has worked on coalitions to advance youth justice through legislation, led support groups for pregnant and parenting youth, and worked closely with youth leaders to become advocates. De Anna is living proof of what is possible when you truly see and invest into a young person.
