Irma Leticia Perez Cordova was born in Colima, Mexico. She and her family immigrated to California in 1962. She attended the University of California at Los Angeles where she graduated with a B.A. in History. While at UCLA, Irma was active in intercollegiate sports, excelling at fencing. She was Captain of the Women’s Fencing Team and was nationally ranked, in both foil and sabre.