Luz Maria Frias

Luz Maria Frias
Born (1962-09-06) September 6, 1962 (age 64)
Education
OccupationAttorney

Luz Maria Frias (born September 6, 1962) is an American attorney best known for public service and advocacy for racial equity. She served as Deputy Attorney General for the state of Minnesota and president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis.

Early life and education

Frias was born on September 9, 1962 and grew up in West Side, Chicago, her parents having immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the 1950s. By age 11, she was helping people around her community by interpreting Spanish for them at the unemployment office. After skipping her junior year of high school, she was encouraged to apply to college by her algebra teacher; her parents originally intended to have Frias work after high school, and she applied without their consent.

Frias earned her BA in criminal justice from the University of Illinois Chicago. She later earned both her master's degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa.

Career

Frias started her career as a public defender. In the early 1990s, she was both the chief legal officer and CEO of Centro Legal, an organization that offered free legal representation in matters of immigration law and family law. She later served as a court magistrate for Minnesota's Second and Fourth Judicial Districts. Frias worked under St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman as the first director of the Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Department.

In 1991, Frias helped found the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association. She also served as the vice president for community development at The Minneapolis Foundation, working to overcome institutional barriers within the city.

Frias took over as president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis in 2016. During her tenure, she focused on early childhood education, public policy, and racial justice, and lectured on topics including implicit bias, structural racism, and immigration policy. In 2020, she was appointed Deputy Attorney General for Minnesota by Keith Ellison. In this role, Frias oversaw multiple divisions, led equity efforts, and reinstated the office mentoring program. She retired in September 2023. Ellison described Frias as "one of a kind" with a "sharp legal mind".

Awards and honors

Frias is the recipient of the Ohtli Award, issued by Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which honors individuals for service to communities of Mexican origin.

In 2018, Frias received the Myra Bradwell Award, an award given out to those who exemplify the behaviors of Myra Bradwell on issues of women.[non-primary source needed]

In 2023, she received the Public Lawyer Diversity Award from the Minnesota State Bar Association.

References

  1. 1 2 Unterburger, Amy L.; Delgado, Jane L. (1994). Who's who Among Hispanic Americans. Gale Research. ISBN 978-0-8103-8550-4. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Peters, Joey (July 17, 2020). "Ellison appoints longtime advocate for racial equity to top spot in attorney general's office". Sahan Journal. Archived from the original on January 3, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Turck, Mary (November 1, 2016). "Always an advocate: Luz Maria Frias: Building bridges between cultures and communities through communication". Minnesota Women's Press. Archived from the original on July 1, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Saavedra-Weis, Isabel (July 16, 2020). "Luz María Frías, former St. Paul director, appointed as MN deputy attorney general". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on July 2, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Hobbes, Dwight (February 28, 2018). "New YWCA leader a force, not a figurehead". Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Archived from the original on January 26, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Frey, Josh (June 13, 2023). "Minnesota Deputy Attorney General Luz María Frías to retire". KAAL. Archived from the original on November 3, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  7. ↑ "AG Ellison names Luz María Frías as Deputy Attorney General". RedLakeNationNews.com. July 17, 2020. Archived from the original on January 31, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ Yuen, Laura (March 20, 2013). "Teachers facing achievement gap try cross-race connections". mprnews.org. Archived from the original on April 16, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  9. ↑ Hallman, Charles (July 18, 2012). "Tornado relief strengthened Mpls Foundation's commitment to North Side". Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  10. ↑ "YWCA Minneapolis CEO Luz María Frías encourages us to 'dream big and often'". Rolling Out. January 11, 2018. Archived from the original on April 19, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Deputy Attorney General Luz María Frías is retiring". CBS News. June 13, 2023. Archived from the original on April 12, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  12. ↑ "MWL Congratulates its 2018 Annual Award Recipients". Minnesota Women Lawyers. 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2026.