Juanita Ortiz began working at the University of Houston in January 1996. She works as one of the two custodians responsible for the upkeep of the UC Satellite building.

Her life journey before UH began in Mexico where she was one of seven brothers and sisters. In order to help her father, a baker by trade, Juanita studied only to the 9th grade. As a teenager, she went to work to help her father supplement the family income. For three years she also worked in the clerical field while living in Mexico.

Juanita married and had two children. Her son, Arturo, who now lives in California, served our country as a Marine for four years. Juanita’s daughter, Angelica, has had two years of college education and is currently working full-time.  Angelica continues to be devoted to her mother, Juanita, by living at home and helping her maintain their home. Juanita takes great pride in her children and their accomplishments. She has instilled in them her belief in hard work and dedication to family and friends. Whenever she can, Juanita enjoys traveling and helping people.

As a staff person at UH, Juanita has continued her life long dedication to others by maintaining a clean and safe UC Satellite. She daily demonstrates a strong work ethic. Juanita is a very dependable, dedicated, and responsible individual who stays busy by making the Satellite a priority at all time. Her hard work is very much appreciated by the Women’s Resource Center, whose office is in the Satellite, and by all who work and visit the building she cares for. She always has a warm smile for UH students, staff, and faculty. After along day at the UC Satellite, she also works a second job in the evening hours.

Juanita’s words of encouragement to other women are: “If you have the opportunity to study and accomplish all your goals, take advantage of it. This way, you may not have to work so hard, and have so many different jobs.”