Liz Marquez Gutierrez was born in Guerrero, Mexico. She grew up in Idaho before moving to Oregon to pursue higher education. She is a first generation college graduate, earning a B.A. in Sociology from Western Oregon University (WOU) in 2021.
During her time at WOU, Liz was involved in advocacy and organizing as a student senator and as a Legislative Intern with the Oregon Student Association where she helped secure funding for higher education, textbook affordability, and tuition equity for graduate students.
Liz was elected Senate President of the ASWOU during the 2020-2021 academic year where she successfully defended student fee autonomy, and along with BIPOC student leaders, organized and secured funding to create the Freedom Center- a center for BIPOC students. Liz has also worked with Oregon AFSCME Council 75, ensuring members were engaged and counted in the 2020 Census, elections and health care interpretation policy, and voter outreach.
Currently, Liz is a Political Organizer at PCUN and is passionate about working towards a just and equitable future for farmworkers, Latinx working families and underserved communities.