Mexico’s First Female President
Usually, Latina tias can be known for being ‘chismosas’, talking about the latest novelas, always cooking and spoiling their nieces and nephews. You probably know these types of Latina aunts very well, but while they may argue about who that new dress looks better on, mine argue over the presidential candidates for the 2024 Mexican elections, and let me tell you, once the topic gets going, it never ends!
For the first time, Mexico may be getting a female president. On Wednesday, September 7th, Mexico's ruling party named former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum as its candidate for the 2024 presidential election along with Senator Xóchitl Gálvez, ensuring that for the first time, the two main rivals to lead the Latin American power will be women.
What does this mean for Mexico and its significance in history and Mexican politics? In an interview with NPR’s correspondent Eyder Peralta, he said, “It is big, and it was a surprise because it's likely to mark the shattering of a glass ceiling in a notoriously patriarchal society. But, it's also not surprising because it's taken hard and long work on the part of women in Mexico”. It’s safe to say that this momentous event will definitely be remembered forever in Mexican history and in the lives of these hardworking candidates.
After serving as mayor of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum became an environmental engineer. She served as mayor of Mexico City from 2018 until 2023, the first woman and Jewish person to hold the role. Sheinbaum is the granddaughter of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and the child of two scientists who participated in the 1968 student movements in Mexico City. She first entered the world of politics in 2000, where she served under current president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), the mayor at the time.
Her opponent, Bertha Xóchitl Gálvez Ruiz, most commonly known as Xóchitl Gálvez, is a Mexican computer engineer, businesswoman, and politician. Coming from indigenous roots and being born into poverty, she has come a long way in life. As a child, she started selling desserts at the local market to support her family and education. She made her way to studying computers and engineering and becoming a presidential candidate. Although some, like my aunts, believe that Xóchitl claims she worked hard early in life just to win over more people.
It is clear that Mexico will be led by remarkable, hardworking women who will do their best as presidents. They are inspirations for many other women to believe in themselves and not give up on the goals they set. Stay tuned to the 2024 Mexican presidential elections to find out which of the two candidates will become the first female president of Mexico. Maybe, instead of asking your aunt what makeup to wear, ask her what her opinion is on this news!
