June 8, 2024

Claudia Sheinbaum
La Doctora
Continuing to Honor International Women’s Day
by Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.

On June 3, 2024, Mexico elected its first woman President, Claudia Sheinbaum. Once again, we can hear and feel women’s voices rising in our world. As a progressive woman rises to the Presidency of her country, we look forward to wisdom and insights in the quest for the full human rights of all people.

She earned the title, “La Doctora,” for her outstanding work on climate and the environment in the United Nations. There will be no world in which we can pursue the cause of justice and peace if there is no world at all because of climate destruction, runaway consumerism, and political indifference or hostility. “La Doctora” will continue to raise the bar on all issues environmental.

It appears she is more than willing to work with the United States in finding ways to serve the immigrant community. Mexico itself has become a destination place for many people fleeing violence, poverty, and starvation. We can only hope the United States will transcend the temptation to blame immigrants for all our woes. Mexico and the United States now have an opportunity to work together to ensure the human rights and dignity of immigrants and all peoples.

While Claudia Sheinbaum may not be particularly religious, her Jewish heritage was not an obstacle to her landslide election. Dare we hope we might soon live in a world where antisemitism and all forms of religious violence will be a terrible past memory?

It was refreshing to hear her speak words of hope, respect, and mutuality as she claimed victory. She reminds us of the need for respectful and inclusive political and governmental leaders. In her speech, she calmly said: “We know that dissent is part of democracy. And although the majority of the people support our project, our duty is and will always be to look after each and every one of the Mexicans without distinction. So, although many Mexicans do not fully agree with our project, we will have to walk in peace and harmony to continue building a fair and more prosperous Mexico.”

Finally, we wish her well as she assumes the Presidency of our neighbor to the South. May we work together in progressive ways to bring decency to government, respect to all peoples, and intelligence and understanding to all the affairs of life.