She graduated from Jefferson High School in Tampa, and attended the University of Florida, receiving a B.A.
Montes became active with the Gainesville Women for Equal Rights (GWER) while still a student.
Montes moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1980 to work for the Southern Regional Council (SRC) as director of legislative research.
Over a 14-year period she assisted SRC in developing legislative analysis on issues relating to civil rights, poverty, children and housing.
She led NOW's defense of Lani Guinier when she was nominated by President Clinton to head the Justice Department's civil rights division.