Maymi, Carmen Rosa, 1938?-

Dates:

Active 1973

Active 1977

Birth 1938?

Gender:

Female

Nationality: Puerto Ricans, Americans,

Language: Spanish; Castilian, English,

Biographical notes:

Carmen Rosa Maymi was the Director of the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor from 1973-1977. She was the first Women's Bureau Director appointed from within the ranks and the first Hispanic Director.

Maymi was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She received B.A. and M.A. degrees from DePaul University in Chicago and also attended the University of Chicago Graduate School. Maymi developed programs for Chicago police, social workers and teachers who served that city's 80,000 Puerto Rican residents. She joined the Office of Economic Opportunity in 1966 and later was a consultant on the Model Cities program.

At the time of her appointment as director of the Women's Bureau, Maymi was highest‐ranking Puerto Rican woman in the Federal government and the youngest director the Bureau had ever had. During her directorship, a new Department of Labor building was designed with space set aside for a childcare center, self-supported by parental fees and governed by a parental board. This model center paved the way for childcare centers at other Government and private sector offices. Maymi also used her position as director to call attention to the unique barriers faced by Hispanic women. She also developed the Bureau's links with private organizations to help working women realize their full potential.