Class of 2010

Olga Pereira

Born in Nicaragua and raised in Illinois, Olga’s interest in politics began in childhood during the Sandinista Revolution.  Prior to Senator Paul Simon’s granting political asylum in Illinois, her family lived under persecution of the Nicaraguan Marxist-Leninist regime.  However, arriving in the United States in 1981 and living under the Presidency of Ronald Regan was one of her fondest memories.  Olga received her U.S. Citizenship in 1987.  Her attention for international affairs became a passion towards American foreign policy and democracy.

 Olga’s education at Ursuline Academy in Springfield shaped her sense of duty towards community service and volunteerism.  She went on to serve honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years of active duty.  Olga earned an Associate’s Degree in Biology from Lincoln Land Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois.  During her undergraduate studies, Olga was awarded an internship in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. House of Representative for Speaker Dennis Hastert.  Since 2002, her activism with the Illinois Republican Party, the Illinois Republican National Hispanic Assembly, and the Illinois Federation of College Republicans has shaped her beliefs in conservative values and the Republican Party.

 In 2003, Olga was awarded the Leadership Award from the Illinois Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA).  She was elected Chairman of the Central Illinois Chapter of the RNHA consecutively since 2003.  Olga served twice as the State Secretary for the Illinois College Republican Federation and three terms as Secretary for the Illinois Republican National Hispanic Assembly.  Most currently, she is a member of the Latino Republican Coalition, the newest national Latino Conservative outreach group under the Republican National Committee.

 Olga currently volunteer’s as a mentor with the Capital Region Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters and has been a Big Sister for three years.  As a native Spanish speaker, she volunteers for various interpretation projects with government agencies and private individuals in Central Illinois.  Her hobbies include writing, and she has written various conservative articles for local newspapers and web-blogs.  Olga currently works for the U.S. Department of Transportation in the Illinois Division of the Federal Highway Administration.  She has held positions with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer.