Meet Elizabeth Lorenzana
Elizabeth Lorenzana comes from a long line of public servants who have mentored and guided her towards continuing to make chips in the glass ceiling for women in policing.
When sitting in Elizabeth’s presence, you immediately see an inviting warm smile but quickly learn there is a toughness and resiliency behind the smile that has equipped her to be a Commander of Police in the fourth largest city in the nation.
Hers is a story of resilience and struggle that has fostered a sense of compassion in her leadership. Elizabeth was born and raised in the East end of Houston (i.e. 10 district; also referred to as EADO) and once lived in a one room rent house just off of Navigation near the Guadalupe church. She saw first-hand the struggles of her parents who always pushed the importance of education. Her dad put himself through night school at University of Houston and later became a police officer for Pearland; while her mom worked at a local fire sale and as a cafeteria worker in the same elementary school she attended (Franklin Elementary at 7101 Canal Street). Elizabeth remembers the excitement she would feel when she knew it was lunch time because it meant she would be able to see her mom. Sadly, she also remembers she was standing in the cafeteria line when the Challenger space shuttle explosion was announced and how she felt the pain of the staff and faculty. The memory is etched on her slate. Although she moved around a lot (once living in the 10000 block of Telephone road and traveling to the East end to attend school); East end will always be home and is considered to be her gem of Houston. The hard work of her parents sent the message to her that there was no other option but to go to school and she now appreciates those expectations were set for her at a young age. She has since earned a Bachelors of Psychology and a Masters of Criminology; both from the University of Houston Clear Lake.
As a Commander of Police in the fourth largest city in the United States; Elizabeth didn’t always have aspirations of promoting through the ranks. After seven years as an officer she found it rewarding solving a theft ring case and arresting a suspect who had committed awful sex crimes. So, it was not on her to-do-list when one of her previous Captains handed her the promotional information that detailed the books necessary to prepare for promotion. However, she saw how they believed in her and she set forth on the journey. Her journey has had its rough patches though.
In 2011, she was diagnosed with meningitis. As she shared the story; it was one that is too often familiar of a mother who just keeps going and going until someone has to say, “Something is wrong.” She remembers being in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and thought ‘I’m not going to make it out’. That is when she started to pray, “Dear Lord, don’t take me away from my children.” At the time she had one child in 1st grade and the other in pre-school. When she woke up, she was paralyzed on her left side and she remembers thinking she was ready to go and she gave her life to Christ. Elizabeth had seizures for several months and was on anti-seizure medication for months and the whole time asking doctors if she would ever be an officer again.
When she talks about her family, she shares her pride in how they recognize her dedication to the Houston Police Department. She is now a 22-year veteran on the force and loves everything about Houston (i.e. the arts, off-broadway, ballet, and the food). Her story is one that HOUnites us and exemplifies her belief that “you don’t need a gold badge to be a leader.” Elizabeth Lorenzana is representing females in leadership. She reminds young people who are faced with challenges that success is achievable but to stay resilient through adversity because “If it was easy everyone would be doing it.”
