Olga Samaniego- El Paso

Olga is a member of St. Raphael’s Parish in El Paso. She was a member of the Junior Catholic Daughters and became a member of Court Our Blessed Mother #1731 in 1969. Olga served her court in the offices of Monitor, Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary, Vice Regent, and Regent.

She received the 2009 and 2013 State Regents awards. Olga began her journey on the state board finishing an unexpired term as State Secretary; elected Second Vice State Regent 2000-2002; First Vice State Regent 2002-2005. Olga and her mother, Past State Regent Amy Rueda, became the first ‘Mother-Daughter’ State Regents in Texas! She was elected State Regent 2005-2007 at the 2005 State Convention in Austin. The theme for her term as State Regent was “Women of God, Be Not Afraid.”

Five years later (2012) when asked for a highlight of her term, Olga replied; “I was blessed to be able to work with the best women in the world! Together we placed an emphasis on spirituality and instituted seventeen new courts including the first campus court in Texas at Baylor University."

Olga is known nationally for her spirituality and leadership. She began her journey on the National Board in 2010 when she was elected as National Director; 2012-2014 Second Vice National Regent; 2014-2016 First Vice National Regent; and is currently the 2016-2018 National Regent Elect.

She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Texas, El Paso, in Secondary Education, English and Spanish. Olga retired from El Paso ISD where she worked as an English teacher, English Department Chair, and Literacy Coach for 33 years.

Olga and her husband Sam were married in 1970. They have one daughter and two grandchildren living in Arizona. She enjoys reading, watching old movies, spending time with her granddaughters and traveling with her family.