Virginia Perez was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States with her family as a young girl. She attended Yonkers Public Schools and graduated from Saunders Trade and Technical High School. Wanting to stay close to her family she decided to attend Monroe College where she earned degrees in Hospitality and Business Management. 

In December of 2007, she experienced the most unimaginable turn of events that she could have experienced; the loss of her brother Martin, who was murdered during a robbery. This senseless act of violence caused the Perez family an immeasurable amount of heartache and devastation. Virginia worked tirelessly with community organizations, the Yonkers Police Department, and other entities, to raise awareness against crime and violence. She worked hard to promote safer streets and a safer community so that no other family would experience what she felt with the loss of her brother. Striving to cause more social change on the platform of public safety, in 2011 Virginia was elected as the Westchester County Legislator for the 17th District.

Virginia Perez became the first Latina to serve on the Westchester County Board of Legislators and has been the highest-ranking Latina in Westchester County to date. In 2012 when she began her first term, she served as Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee and became part of a bipartisan coalition that passed a fiscally responsible budget― eliminating a $166 million deficit― helping to keep taxes at bay. Virginia Perez also served as a strong voice and proponent of a lower county tax levy, investments in infrastructure, and the creation of a $1.2 billion Biotech and Life Sciences village― which helped to attract new businesses to the county and create local jobs.  Through all of her hard work and dedication to her commitment to serve, she still maintains great relationships with her constituents who have now become like a second family to her. 

Virginia Perez has successfully allocated funding for essential services and programs that help elevate her community and improve her constituent’s quality of life. These programs included assistance for senior citizens and immigrant families, prevention of domestic violence and homelessness, community health aid, and mental health support. Furthermore, she effectively negotiated additional funding for the arts, youth programs, parks, and public safety.

From 2014 until 2019, Virginia served as chair of the Committee on Legislation, one of the most important committees and one of two that are mandated by the County Charter. Virtually every piece of legislation that goes before the Board of Legislators is vetted and debated in the Legislation Committee before going to the full Board for a vote. She also co-chaired the Hispanic Affairs and Minority Affairs Task Forces at the Board of Legislators.

Virginia is very active and engaged with community organizations, and her constant presence has been critical in bridging the gap between residents and those who represent them in public office. For years Virginia has also volunteered for the Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP) by Victims Assistance Services. Through this program, Virginia would visit the Westchester County Jail and participate in an open forum on the topic of violence with inmates that have a history of serious, recent, and often multiple violent crimes as efforts for rehabilitation. Virginia has continuously allocated funding for a Back to School initiative with Westhab and other community organizations to distribute school supplies to hundreds of children in need. She was also able to form a successful partnership with television producers and take 550 Yonkers students to the Nickelodeon HALO Awards― free of charge. 

Virginia is an active alumna of the Citizen’s Police Academy through the Yonkers Police Department, where she received training in the legal, social and procedural aspects of policing. She has successfully held five Yonkers College Fairs along with Yonkers Public Schools which included the participation of over 100 colleges and universities― and well over 2000 people in attendance combined. 

Virginia is a humble, outgoing and dedicated woman who views her constituents as her extended family. She has maintained direct communication with them by knocking on their doors and offering them her assistance face-to-face, even during “off” years. Virginia Perez is an exemplary citizen who is always delivering for Yonkers and Westchester County. In her own words― "I will continue to work hard to provide for our community for as long as God and my voters allow me to."