"From the stone cities of the Maya to the might of the Aztecs, from its conquest by Spain to its rise as a modern nation, Mexico boasts a rich history and cultural heritage spanning more than 10,000 years."
Claudia Sheinbaum is the first female and person of Jewish heritage to be elected president of Mexico.
Imagine for a minute, all of Mexico’s rich cultural traditions and history that have unfolded over thousands of years in the lands we know today as Mexico. Now the country and its citizens proudly add Ms. Claudia Sheinbaum to its progressive evolution of history. The History Channel introduces the annals of Mexico's past this way. Electing Claudia Sheinbaum is a historic win for Mexico and a triumph for the power of global cultural activism. The path to Mexico's presidency followed by Sheinbaum serves as a powerful illustration that Mexico’s society values public service, social justice, and gender equity. Its people continue to trailblaze as it builds on its memorable and compelling history.
So, who is President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum?
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo born 24 June 1962 is a Mexican politician, scientist, and academic. Christopher Sherman of the AP in part describes Ms. Sheinbaum as a “61-year-old former mayor of Mexico city” who earned a Doctorate in energy engineering. She is the first woman to ascend to the presidency since the “200 years nation” achieved its independence from Spain in 1821.
President-elect Sheinbaum has worked as an environmental scientist and a politician having served as Mayor of Mexico City.
Somini Sengupta of the New York Times notes that as Mayor of Mexico City, Sheinbaum grappled with environmental challenges such as “water crisis and other climate change issues.” Politico’s Blanca Begert suggests that Ms. Sheinbaum's election could signal a potential for greater cross-border cooperation.
Begert writes: “California politicians already enjoy close relationships with their Mexican counterparts and have agreements in place to work on a host of climate issues, including drought, land conservation, recycling, and cross-border truck emissions.”
Will President-elect Sheinbaum build on these gains and continue her tireless work to provide constructive remedies for “clean energy and transportation” given her background as an environment scientist and in her effort to assist the “U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports or will her efforts falter under the weight of Mexico’s industrial sectors interest.
According to Worldometer Mexico ranks 11th in the world’s oil production and consumption. This statistic points to the challenge that President-elect Sheinbaum will face in continuing to balance the treacherous waters of working on environmental issues even as she leads in her role as President of an oil-rich nation. She promised to carry on the legacy of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, including protecting the main state-run oil companies and addressing migration through root causes.
Sheinbaum also pledged to make a new national program to prosecute crimes and violence against women. Her victory demonstrates the power of cultural activism and the desire to unite even across the shores.
However, according to Vox Reporter Ellen Loanes, Ms. Sheinbaum will have to distinguish herself from her protegee as she faces rigid challenges to change Mexico’s culture of crime as displayed by Mexico’s astronomical homicide rate, crime due to narcotrafficking, and government corruption.“ Her presidency is an opportunity to address these challenges, as well as the many problems Mexico has faced for the past century among them include violence, impunity, and environmental degradation.
Undoubtedly Sheinbaum's prominence is symbolic of the importance of DEI. Turning this symbolism into a roadmap for others to travel will take on greater significance if Ms. Sheinbaum is successful in prescribing pragmatic and workable solutions to the challenges she will face in her historic role as the first-ever woman President of Mexico.
Yes, we must celebrate Sheinbaum's win. However, we must remember that there is a greater struggle ahead to deal with the challenges that slow global gender equality. More than just the leader of her Nation, Sheinbaum rise to power marks a fresh commitment to inclusion and representation in Mexican and global politics.
She adds to the 10,000 years of traditions, history, and the strivings of those who have been on the front line fighting for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of citizens. As a woman, as an environmental activist, and as the first-ever Jewish Mexican woman national leader President-elect Sheinbaum moves us beyond inspiration to that of aspiration for generations to come. May we honor her win by continuing to grow our civic and community bonds while also working to build bridges between diverse communities. Such global cultural connections are essential to preserving and promoting harmony among all nations.
Let us use her victory to aspire to the intermingling of cultures, and the promoting of justice not only in gender equality but to have justice “rain down” on matters that promote a vibrant and just pluralistic global community.
Felicisdades, Presidenta Sheinbaum!
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