Anna Escobedo Cabral
A public servant who broke barriers as the first Latina U.S. Treasurer, overseeing the printing of currency and advocating for economic inclusion.
Born 1959 (age 67)·American politician·Birthday: October 12·Baby Boomers
Biography
Anna Escobedo Cabral built a career at the intersection of public policy, finance, and community advocacy. With a background in political science and law, she first made her mark in Washington as a legislative aide and later as President of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, pushing for greater Latino representation in business. Her most visible role came in 2004 when President George W. Bush appointed her as the 42nd Treasurer of the United States. In that position, her signature appeared on billions of dollars of U.S. currency, a powerful symbol of her groundbreaking appointment. She focused on financial literacy, particularly within minority communities, and oversaw the U.S. Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing. After her Treasury service, she brought her expertise to international development at the Inter-American Development Bank and later to the private sector as a consultant and corporate director, consistently championing microfinance and economic opportunity.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Anna was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anna Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Anna's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 60
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 67 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as the 42nd Treasurer of the United States from 2004 to 2009, with her signature appearing on all U.S. paper currency during that period.
- Led the Office of Strategic Communications for the Inter-American Development Bank's External Relations Division.
- Previously served as President and CEO of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR).
- Appointed by President George W. Bush to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.
Did You Know?
She is one of only a few individuals of Hispanic descent to have held the office of U.S. Treasurer.
She is married to former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Labor, Raymond L. Cabral.
Before her Treasury role, she worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Pete Wilson.
“Public service is about opening doors and ensuring the system works for everyone.”
