Elba Garcia (Having It All)

By A. Govea

October 15, 2014

Dr. Elba Garcia was born to Dr. and Mrs. Hector Garcia.  Elba was raised in Mexico City.  She earned her Doctorate in Odontology from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana and continued her education at Baylor College of Dentistry after immigrating to the United States, earning a second Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Dr. Garcia served as an Assistant Professor at Baylor.  

Through the years it has been argued that a woman cannot have it all; career, marriage and children. That being said, if I was making a case that you could, Dr. Garcia would surely be exhibit A for my case.  Dr. Garcia is a licensed dentist with her own practice.  She is also a County Commissioner, being the first Latina to serve on the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court.  She is married to Domingo Garcia, a successful attorney and former State Representative who was also the first Latino to serve as Dallas Mayor Pro Tem. They have two sons. Dr. Garcia is deeply involved in helping her community and the county prospers as a whole.

Dr. Garcia won her first election to public office in 2001, winning the District 1 seat on the Dallas City Council. You might say that ushered in the new millennium for Dallas’ political landscape. While many in Dallas point to Anita Martinez as a role model for a strong successful Latina and deservedly so, in this new century Elba Garcia will, I believe, light the way for many more to follow.  Dr. Garcia is strong, assertive and has a Spanish accent which some may label as a weakness, yet it only adds to her charm and charisma.

While serving on the Dallas City Council, she rose to the positions of Deputy Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor Pro Tem and chaired or served on several boards and panels. Some of these included Chair of the Domestic Violence Task Force and Chair of Public Safety, where she led efforts that resulted in a record reduction of crime in Dallas.  Since her tenure as commissioner began, she endeavored to push for transparency in County Government which has resulted in saving taxpayer dollars.

On a personal note I asked Dr. Garcia to respond to the following questions to get a more personal profile of a successful 21^st Century Latina:

Why did you decide to get involved in politics?

Answer, “I decided to get involved because I believe I can make a difference.”

Who were your role models?

Answer “My mother and my grandmothers.”

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

Answer “ The Latino Cultural Center, the Dallas Animal Shelter, the completion of Hunter Ferrell, expanding the trails in Dallas County and getting other people to see the benefits of them (livability, healthier lives and improve economic development).”

What is the secret to your success?

Answer “Being on time, prepared and professional.”

What is the best advice you ever got?

Answer “That I could do anything I wanted, if I was prepared and ready to work hard, that advice came from my father.”

What is your advice to young Latinas?

Answer “Study hard and strive to be independent.”

Sound advice for all of us, below is a sample of Awards and Honors Dr. Garcia has deservedly earned for her community service.  Some of these include:

2014 Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce-Woman of Distinction Leadership Award

2014 Keep Irving Beautiful – Green Government Award

2014 Texas Rangers – Héroe en la Comunidad Award

2013 Greater Grand Prairie Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Los Amigos Philanthropy Award

2013 Dallas County Democratic Party - Democratic Elected Official of the Year

2013 Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau - High Tea With High Heals Award

2012 Mi Escuelita – Hero Award

2012 Stonewall Democrats – Distinguished Service Award

2012 Telemundo – Hispanic Business Salute

2012 Texas Democratic Party - Rising Star Award

2012 Immigrant Journey Awards - Immigrant Spirit Award

2012 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – President’s Award

2011 Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce - Public Servant of the Year

2011 League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) – District 3 - Woman of the Year

2011 Low Birth Weight Development Center – Awards of Hope 2011 Visionary Leader

2010 Stonewall Democrats - Democrat of the Year

2009 Women’s Council of Dallas County - Woman of the Year

2009 Rotary Club of Dallas & Safer Dallas/Better Dallas - Citizens Public Safety Award

2009 Dallas Fire and Rescue - Recognition Award

2008 Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce - Best Oak Cliff Public Servant Award

2008 Texas Animal Control Association - Presidential Citation

2008 Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) - OHTLI Award

2008 American Jewish Congress - Women of Spirit Award

2008 American Association of Univ. Women (AAUW) - AAUW 100 Women of Distinction Award

2008 Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC)- Chairman’s Award

2007 Selected for the Aspen Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership Program

2006 Northeast Texas Library System - Government Official of the Year

2006 Dallas Film Commission - Advocacy in Film Award

2006 Texas Can Academy - Motherhood Lifetime Achievement Award

2006 Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) - Chairman’s Leadership Award

2005-2006 Oak Cliff Tribune - Citizen of the Year Award

2005 Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) - Chairman’s Award

2005 El Centro College - Outstanding Alumnus Award

2005 Dallas Observer - Best Dallas City Councilmember

2005 McDonald’s - Salute to Local Leaders Hispanic, Faces of Leadership

2004 Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Chairman’s Award

2003 Dallas Can Academy - Most Outstanding Community Leader

2002 Dallas Observer - Best Dallas City Council Member

2000 YWCA - Women of Oak Cliff Achievement Award