Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Nelly Ayala León

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today’s profile features Nelly Ayala León.

Nelly Ayala León has been the president of UAW-Asociacion de Empleados de Comedores Escolares Local 2396 since 2014. Prior to that she served as the local’s vice president for 17 years. UAW Local 2396 proudly represents nearly 3,000 cafeteria workers working at public schools throughout Puerto Rico. In May 2021, León was the first woman to be elected president of the Puerto Rico Federation of Labor.