Mexico swore first female head of state this montha milestone that renewed cross-border attention to his groundbreaking journey and inspiration among local Latin American leaders.

Claudia Sheinbaum, former mayor of Mexico City and climatologist, became the second female head of state in North America, after Canadian Kim Campbell, who served as prime minister in the early 1990s.

Sheinbaum’s election in June came weeks before the race for the White House turned into a showdown between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, raising the possibility that the United States would follow Mexico’s lead in electing their first female president next month.

For Latino leaders in Sonoma and Napa counties, there is much to admire in Sheinbaum’s historic breakthrough, especially in a country like Mexico, which has a strong patriarchal reputation.

Monique Lopez became the first woman to lead the Napa-based group Mexican-American Vintners Association This year. She believes Sheinbaum’s victory reinforces the importance of representation and resilience.

“As a Latina of Mexican descent, I’m proud,” she said. “This milestone represents not only a victory for gender equality, but also a source of inspiration for future generations of women, both in Mexico and around the world. »

Sheinbaum, 61, who represents Mexico’s ruling Morena party, won the presidency by a wide margin, obtaining 59% of the votes against his main opponent, also a woman.

“I think it’s a historic, transcendental moment,” James Mestaz, a history professor at Sonoma State University, where he specializes in Latin American studies, said in June, just days after the elections.

“The fact that a woman was elected president gives hope not only to Mexico, but to all of Latin America,” Mestaz said. This is especially true in a country that until now is considered “sexist” by its own citizens, he said.

Three-quarters of Mexicans think it’s true, poll finds by the newspaper El País and W Radiowhile more than 70% believe that a female president would be more effective in managing the country’s finances. Additionally, more than half of Mexicans surveyed support the idea of ​​a woman leading the country.

The term coined to designate these colliding realities: the “Mexican paradox”.

Sheinbaum’s election underscores political developments, at least in Mexico, local Latin American leaders say. It’s important here at home, too, said Ana Diaz, a former member of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women who serves on the Roseland School District board.

“From the perspective of a Chicana with Mexican roots and a passion for leadership, the election of Claudia Sheinbaum is monumental,” she said.

For Diaz, this means more than a woman becoming president of Mexico; it represents a profound validation for women striving to make an impact in politics.

Rebecca Hermosillo, who this year became the first Latina elected to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, views Sheinbaum’s rise as an important example for future generations.

“She serves as a role model for young women,” Hermosillo said. “She is an example for girls who grow up seeing someone who looks like them and realizing that they too can be in positions like these.”

Hermosillo’s parents emigrated from Jalostotitlán, Jalisco, to work as farmers in the region. For the elected supervisor, the new leadership in her parents’ home country means a call “to continue the fight.”

“We honor our heritage and appreciate the opportunities provided in the United States,” she said.

Political priorities and setback

Sheinbaum touted his vision of “Mexican humanism,” a political project shared with his predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, that promotes public investments in health, education and economic opportunity. She also gave greater recognition to the indigenous peoples of Mexico.

His government plan, criticized by his opponents, proposes budgetary austerity measures to allow increased investments in social programs and major infrastructure projects.

His supporters, including those in North Bay, are bracing for backlash.

“There will be a lot of backlash,” Mestaz said. “As we saw with Obama when he became president, there was a lot of racist rhetoric. “There have been a lot of attacks, personal attacks and attacks on his policies. »

Mestaz also considers that the new “president” will also have to deal with a political system with a patriarchal attitude and macho history.

“They don’t just like the idea of ​​the left succeeding,” he added. “They don’t want to see a woman succeed either. I believe that many will try to undermine her ideas and block the initiatives she wishes to implement.”