Rita Mendes

Rita Mendes is an American politician serving as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 11th Plymouth district. Born in Brazil, she immigrated to the United States at age 12 and later became the first Brazilian-American to hold office in Brockton, Massachusetts, following her election to the City Council in 2019. Mendes holds an Associate degree from Massasoit Community College, a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and a Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law. She assumed her current legislative seat in 2022 after winning a special election.