Vania Lucio-Mancilla was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She immigrated to the United States with her family when she was four years old and grew up in North Portland. She attended Portland Community College and transferred to Portland State University where she eventually graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She was an advocate for BIPOC youth through the GEAR Up Program at Portland public schools for four years during her time at Portland State University. At the time of the interview Lucio-Mancilla was working for Unite Oregon as the Multnomah County Organizer.

Interview conducted by Sophia Fischer and supported by the OSU Honors College / Center for the Humanities Summer Internship. The interview is also a component of the Latinos en Oregón Oral History Collection (OH 032), Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries.