Sylvia was born and raised in Milwaukee’s near south side. Her father was a pastor and mother a licensed practical nurse. She attended Milwaukee Public Schools and graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee with a degree in Political Science. She also obtained her real estate license and became a licensed broker, helping residents throughout Milwaukee purchase their dream home and investment properties for more than 20 years.

From an early age, Sylvia's parents instilled in her a sense of responsibility and civic duty to her community. Growing up in a large family with a Puerto Rican father and Mexican mother, she faced many obstacles to success. Despite this, her involvement in her church, community, and school helped her to overcome barriers unique to Milwaukee’s south side. These lived experiences compelled her to run for public office and be a voice for her community. 

In 2018, Sylvia was elected to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. There, she prioritized setting common sense policies for our public transit and parks as well as maintaining health and human services.

Sylvia was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 2020 after campaigning on a platform of improving neighborhood safety, investing in affordable housing, making healthcare and child care accessible to working families, enhancing services to the elderly and disabled, as well as protecting our democracy and voting rights.

Sylvia's leadership has helped to attract economic development to the 8th Assembly District and move our neighborhoods towards stability and safety. Last session, Sylvia was proud to be the only Democrat in the Assembly to have voted in favor of the governor's redistricting maps, bringing fair maps to Wisconsin after almost fifteen years of some of the most gerrymandered maps in the country. This session, Sylvia has been one of the most successful junior legislators having authored, co-authored, or co-sponsored 104 legislative proposals that were signed into law or enrolled.