Once an Oiler, always an Oiler

Her father was born in Baytown, Texas, and her mother emigrated from Coahuila, Mexico. They came to Whiting in 1955, after the Standard Oil explosion, and became one of the first Hispanic families to own a home in the city.

Rebeca graduated from Immaculate Conception in 1983 and from Whiting High School in 1987, finishing cosmetology school the same year. She later completed two years of supervisory management studies at Purdue Calumet. She has been styling the community since 1987 and has owned and operated Rebeca's Hair Salon since 1990.

She joined the Whiting City Council in 2002, was first elected in 2003, and serves as President of the Whiting Plan Commission. Rebeca lives on Pennsylvania Avenue with her husband, Mike, and is a proud stepmom.