Claudia Sheinbaum: Mexico’s First Woman President

03Jun
by Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, born June 24, 1962, in Mexico City, has made Herstory as Mexico’s first woman president. Her election marks a significant milestone in the country’s political landscape, reflecting a broader shift towards gender equality in Latin American politics. Sheinbaum’s career is characterized by her scientific background, political acumen, and commitment to progressive policies.

Claudia Sheinbaum has a rich educational and political background that underscores her significant role in Mexican politics.

Early Life and Career

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is a prominent Mexican scientist and politician, born in Mexico City to Carlos Sheinbaum Yoselevitz and Annie Pardo Cemo. Her parents are of Jewish descent; her father’s family is originally from Lithuania and Bulgaria, while her mother’s family has roots in Bulgaria. This diverse ethnic background has influenced her cultural outlook and identity. Claudia’s parents were both highly educated and influential in their respective fields. Her father, Carlos, was an engineer, and her mother, Annie, was a biologist who served as a professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Claudia’s grandparents immigrated to Mexico in the 1940’s to escape the holocaust. 

Claudia’s Jewish heritage plays a significant role in her identity. Her multicultural background enriches her perspective and has been a connection point with diverse communities in Mexico. Sheinbaum’s commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and public service is deeply rooted in her upbringing and cultural heritage.

Claudia Sheinbaum was raised in a middle-class family with a strong emphasis on education. Her father, Carlos Sheinbaum, pursued her studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), earning a degree in physics and later a Ph.D. in energy engineering. Her academic work focused on renewable energy and environmental issues, which would later influence her political agenda.

Before entering politics, Sheinbaum had a distinguished career as a scientist and academic. She worked as a researcher at the Institute of Engineering at UNAM and contributed significantly to sustainable energy and environmental policy fields. Her expertise in this area earned her international recognition, including her role as a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Claudia Sheinbaum’s personal life reflects her dedication to her professional and political career. She was married to Carlos Imaz Gispert, a fellow politician and academic, with whom she has a daughter. Sheinbaum has two children and one grandchild. Her partner, Jesús María Tarriba, whom she met at university while both were studying physics, is a financial risk specialist at the Bank of Mexico.

Claudia Sheinbaum has been an influential figure in Mexican politics, known for her academic rigor, commitment to public service, and advocacy for environmental and social causes.

Educational Background                                                                      

Claudia Sheinbaum pursued her undergraduate degree in physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), one of Latin America’s most prestigious universities. Sheinbaum furthered her studies with a master’s degree in Energy Engineering and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, both from UNAM. Her academic career includes substantial research in sustainable development and energy efficiency, reflecting her commitment to environmental issues.

Sheinbaum is also a former researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley Lab, where she spent 4 years conducting her doctoral research in environmental engineering. 

Political Background

Sheinbaum’s political career began with her involvement in the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). She was an active member of the PRD before joining the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party. Sheinbaum served as the Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City from 2000 to 2006 during Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s tenure as mayor. This role allowed her to implement significant environmental policies, including the introduction of the Metrobus system and the expansion of bike lanes.

In 2015, she was elected mayor of Tlalpan, a borough in Mexico City. Her administration focused on urban development, environmental sustainability, and social welfare programs. Sheinbaum’s successful tenure in Tlalpan bolstered her reputation, leading to her election as the Head of Government of Mexico City in 2018. She became the first woman to hold this position, where she continued to prioritize social programs, public transportation, and environmental sustainability.

Political Rise

Sheinbaum’s political journey began with her involvement in environmental activism and academia. She joined the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and served as Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City from 2000 to 2006. Significant environmental initiatives, including the introduction of sustainable public transportation systems, marked her tenure.

In 2015, she was elected as the Mayor of Tlalpan, one of Mexico City’s boroughs. Her effective governance and focus on social welfare programs earned her widespread recognition. In 2018, Sheinbaum was elected as the Head of Government of Mexico City, making her the first woman to hold the position. Her administration focused on enhancing public transportation, combating corruption, and implementing progressive social policies.

History and Principles of the MORENA Party

Formation and Ideology

Founded in 2014 by Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party was initially formed as a civil association. MORENA is largely driven by dissatisfaction with the established political parties and the desire to address issues such as corruption, inequality, and poverty more effectively.

MORENA emerged from a faction within the PRD, aiming to create a new political platform that better reflected leftist and progressive values. Obrador, who had previously run for president as a candidate of the PRD, marked a significant shift in the Mexican political landscape by providing an alternative to the long-dominant Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the National Action Party (PAN).

MORENA’s principles are deeply rooted in social justice, anti-corruption, and economic equality. The party’s platform emphasizes:

  1. Social Welfare: Advocating for extensive social programs aimed at reducing poverty and inequality. This includes pensions for the elderly, scholarships for students, and support for marginalized communities.
  2. Anti-Corruption: A strong stance against corruption, aiming to clean up the political system and improve transparency in government operations. This principle is seen as vital to restoring public trust in the government.
  3. Economic Reform: Promoting economic policies that favor the poor and the middle class over the elite. This includes increasing the minimum wage, creating jobs through public works, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
  4. Environmental Sustainability: Commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. This aligns with Sheinbaum’s background and her initiatives to improve urban sustainability.
  5. National Sovereignty: Advocating for a stronger national identity and greater independence from foreign influences, particularly in economic and political affairs.

MORENA has quickly gained traction, capitalizing on public disillusionment with traditional parties. In the 2018 general elections, the party achieved a significant victory, with AMLO winning the presidency by a landslide and MORENA securing a majority in both houses of Congress. This marked a major shift in Mexican politics, with MORENA promoting a “Fourth Transformation” (Cuarta Transformación) of the country, emphasizing social justice, economic equality, and an end to systemic corruption.

Under Sheinbaum’s leadership, MORENA aims to continue these principles at a national level, pushing forward policies that promote inclusive development, reduce inequality, and ensure a sustainable future for Mexico. Her presidency marks a historic milestone, not only for breaking gender barriers but also for potentially redefining the direction of Mexican politics under MORENA’s guiding principles.

Sheinbaum’s presidency represents the continued rise of MORENA and its commitment to progressive governance. Her scientific background and focus on sustainable development distinguish her leadership style. Key priorities of her administration include: 

  1. Environmental Sustainability: Leveraging her expertise in energy engineering, Sheinbaum emphasizes renewable energy projects and sustainable urban development.
  2. Social Equity: Building on MORENA’s platform, her administration focuses on reducing poverty and inequality through targeted social programs.
  3. Anti-Corruption Measures: Continuing the party’s agenda, Sheinbaum aims to enhance transparency and accountability within the government.
  4. Public Safety and Security: Addressing violence and crime through comprehensive reforms and community-based initiatives.

Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidency is not only historic and a personal achievement, but also a testament to the changing dynamics of Mexican politics. Her leadership reflects a blend of scientific rigor, progressive values, and a commitment to social justice, paving the way for a new era in the country’s governance. Herstory was made on June 2, 2024.

We congratulate the people of Mexico and the President of the United Mexican States.

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Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Leticia Chavez-Garcia is a Mother, Grandmother, former Middle School Teacher, former Member of a School Board of Education and an Education Advocate for hundreds of parents and students in the Inland Empire. Having become a mother at 15, Leticia knows what it’s like to be a single mother trying to navigate the education system. Leticia received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from California Baptist University and a Masters’ Degree in Education Technology from Cal State Fullerton in her 30’s. Leticia has used her knowledge and experience to help hundreds of families as an Education Advocate in the Inland Empire and currently works as an Education Specialist.

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