Carmen E. Arroyo (born 1936 in Corozal, Puerto Rico) is the first Puerto Rican and Hispanic woman elected to the New York State Assembly.

Carmen was raised and educated in the town of Corozal where she received her primary and secondary education. She graduated from the Corozal High School and then attended the Sixto Febus Business School where she took Secretarial and Bookeeping courses and obtained a diploma. She married Pablo Arroyo at a young age and together they had seven children. She was eventually abandoned by her husband and decided to move to the United States.

In 1964, Carmen immigrated to New York City with her children and settled down in the borough of the Bronx. She was in serach of a better way of life but, was soon faced the harsh reality of racial discrimination and other hardships. She found herself on welfare and seeking public assistance.

Carmen took English classes and attended the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College (a division of the University of New York). She earned her Associate of Arts degree in 1978. In 1980, Carmen earned her Bachelor's of Arts degree from the College of New Rochelle. During this time she worked during the day and went to school during the night. Carmen organized other welfare recipientes and formed the South Bronx Action Group in 1966. She was the groups executive director and with the federal funds which the group received she was able to supply the community with services in employment, health and adult eduction. She was also instrumental in the construction of 194 housing units for senior citizens and became the first Puerto Rican woman housing developer in New York State.

In a special election held in February, 1994, Carmen ran and was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing the 84th District which includes the Bronx. She thus, became the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the Assembly and the first Puerto Rican woman elected to any state assembly in the United States. Among the committees which she has been assigned to are the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Children and Families; and Education and Aging committees.

She has also been involved with the Puerto Rican Senate/Hispanic Task Force, The Black and Puerto Rican Cacus, The Women's Cacus, The National Order of Women Legislatures, and The New York City Commission on the Status of Women.

Carmen's daughter, Maria del Carmen Arroyo followed in her mother's footsteps. She ran for a seat in New Yorks City Council and was sworn in on March 21, 2005 representing District 17 of the Bronx.

On April 23, 2004, New York State Governor George E. Pataki presented Carmen with the Champions of Housing Award in a reception held in Albany, New York.

Carmen Arroyo currently continues to hold her political position and has published her autobiography titled "Carmen Arroyo: Puertorriquña en Nueva York, Mujer de Armas Tomadas" (Carmen Arroyo: Puerto Rican Female in New York). She also published a book of poems titled "Mis Poemas" (My Poems).

See also

• list of famous Puerto Ricans