so would have been beneficial to her district. She was often criticized by her peers for this bi-partisanship. In December 2002, Méndez left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party, as she felt that "she and the voters had been taken for granted by the Democrats." Switching parties made re-election very tenuous in her heavily Democratic and majority-Hispanic district. On November 4, 2004, Méndez was heavily defeated by José M. Serrano, son of U.S. Congressman José E. Serrano, taking only 18 percent of the vote. During her final six months in office she served as the Chairwoman of the Senate Labor Committee. Death and legacy Méndez was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent surgery. She said that she shared her story in order to educate others. She died after a 16-year battle at her East Harlem apartment on July 29, 2009, aged 84. New York City's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, an Independent, who was both a former Democrat and a former Republican, credited Méndez with impressing upon him the "importance of reaching across partisan lines to do what's right for your constituents." Bloomberg stated the following: Legacy Among the many awards and recognitions which Méndez was awarded were the following: the Operation Push National Citizenship Award, Effective Leadership Golden Age Award Hunter College Presidential Medal of Honor She was also named to the Civil Liberties Honor Roll. A public housing building which bears her name was constructed in Spanish Harlem in Manhattan. See also List of Puerto Ricans History of women in Puerto Rico References Further reading Paterson, David "Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity."Skyhorse Publishing. New York, New York, 2020 External links New York Times coverage of Méndez New York Times obituary with correct date of birth 1925 births 2009 deaths American politicians of Puerto Rican descent Hispanic and Latino American women in politics Deaths from cancer in New York (state) Deaths from breast cancer Teachers College, Columbia University alumni New York (state) Democrats New York (state) Republicans New York (state) state senators People from East Harlem People from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico University of Puerto Rico alumni Yeshiva University alumni Women state legislators in New York (state) 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American women politicians Puerto Rican people in New York (state) politics Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in New York (state)