Mexico has elected its first female president, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s politics. This great achievement not only signifies progress in Mexico’s journey towards gender equality but also signifies the important role of women in politics globally. The election of a female leader in the country is a testament to the growing recognition of women’s capabilities and their indispensable contributions to governance and societal advancement.This particular election has been described as a “sea change for women in the city of Mexico” because it pitched two women against each other.
Politics in Mexico has long been a male-dominated arena, with women historically underrepresented in the corridors of power. In fact, women were only allowed to vote in national elections in 1953. However, in 2024, Mexico voted in her first female president. Here are the important things to know about Claudia Sheinbaum, the first female president of Mexico.
1. Claudia Sheinbaum is the first woman President in the 200-year history of Mexico.
2. She was a climate and energy scientist who has made great impact in her field.
3. She was also the former Mexico City Mayor from 2018 to 2023. In fact, she was the first female Mayor of Mexico, one of the most influential political positions in the country. This position is also known to pave way for the presidency.
4. She is 61 years old.
5. She won with about 30 percent point over her main rival businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez.
6. Sheinbaum will replace outgoing president President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on 1 October.
7. She had a thriving career as a scientist before delving into politics.
8. Both her parents are scientists and it is safe to say this is one of the things that influenced her career choice.
9. Ms Sheinbaum was born to Jewish maternal grandparents who immigrated to Mexico from Bulgaria fleeing the Nazis.
10.Her paternal grandparents hailed from Lithuania.
11. She studied physics before receiving a doctorate in energy engineering.
12. Ms Sheinbaum spent years at a renowned research laboratory in California studying Mexican energy consumption patterns and in the process, she became an expert in climate change.
13. She is experienced in human activism and this later earned her the position of secretary of the environment for Mexico City.
14. At the time she was secretary of Mexico City, Andrés Manuel López Obrador was mayor of the capital. Many of her voters said they voted for her because she was greatly involved in Mr López Obrador’s party programme to alleviate poverty and wanted to see it continued.
15. She is expected to be on seat for six years as Mexico’s constitution allows only a single six-year-term.
