FITCHBURG, Wis. — One inspiring Dane County woman is using culture and civic duty to create collaboration and kindness within her community.

Newly elected Fitchburg Mayor Julia Arata-Fratta said she hoped she could increase inclusivity during her term.

Arata-Fratta, a CPA and mother of two, said eight years back, she began to work in local government as a City of Fitchburg Alder. 

But the Argentina-born Arata-Fratta said she noticed a lack of diversity on the council.

“What I didn’t see was my representation as a Latina or as a woman...so maybe it’s time to have this representation at the table,” Arata-Fratta said.

That’s why she decided to run for mayor. Now, serving as the city’s first female Latina mayor, Mayor Arata-Fratta said she’s made it a point to routinely meet with her council peers that include District 1 Ald. Joe Maldonado.

“She actually thinks about what could be in the future,” Maldonado said. “Never shied away from difficult conversations. We always have had really honest heart to hearts.”

Maldonado has Puerto Rican ancestry. He said Arata-Fratta served as an excellent mentor and support as he entered civil work. He said she cares about accomplishing difficult projects and standing up for her community needs.

Arata-Fratta said she has always had the best intentions for Fitchburg.

“This accent, you know, I speak English as a second language. So, I had to be totally out of my comfort zone sometimes. I know some people say, ‘you are not from here,’ but the idea is I am very committed to what I’m doing... because I love my city,” Arata-Fratta said.

It’s why she has been working with Fitchburg Access Television on a new project for her Latino constituents: a Spanish news show. She said with more than 4,000 Latino residents, it’s a passion project she looks forward to getting started soon.

“To be more intentional, because I want to outreach to the Latino community and we are more intentional about how to outreach,” she said about the upcoming show.