Remember When Women Were Called "The Weaker Sex"?

Let's go back to the time when women were wrongfully labeled as "the weaker sex" and honor the strong women who broke that stereotype, starting with Claudia Sheinbaum.

Claudia Sheinbaum, Presidenta Electa de México / Raquel Cunha/Reuters

Claudia Sheinbaum has made history by becoming the first elected female President of Mexico. In a country often viewed as macho and misogynist, she stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of Mexican women, embodying the qualities of a strong, educated woman with great intellect and emotional intelligence.

Sheinbaum is also a distinguished scientist and academic. She holds a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and has made significant contributions to research in environmental sustainability and urban development.

The Empowering Force Behind Claudia Sheinbaum

Sheinbaum's upbringing was profoundly influenced by another powerful woman: her mother, Annie Pardo Cemo, a distinguished biologist and professor emeritus of the Faculty of Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Renowned for her contributions to scientific research and education, Mrs. Pardo instilled progressive values, intellectual curiosity, and a dedication to social causes in Sheinbaum, shaping her worldview and inspiring her to pursue a career dedicated to serving the people of Mexico and advocating for positive change.

As a trailblazer, Claudia Sheinbaum symbolizes the perseverance of women who have faced significant challenges. Her story resonates with countless women throughout history who defied norms, reshaped societies, challenged stereotypes, and paved the way for progress. Just as Claudia's example inspires us today on how one woman can shape future generations of empowered females, I am reminded of the powerful influence of my own mother in my life.

My Example of The Stronger Sex: A Tribute to My Mom

Born in the 1970s, I was raised by parents who, despite their own challenges and weaknesses, strove to provide the best education and a life filled with aspirations for my siblings and me. My father worked tirelessly, often adding extra hours to the day, to afford tuition for three children at the best private school in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Because of my father's efforts to provide the best education, my mother became the strict enforcer, ensuring we excelled academically.

A woman of the post-war generation, my mother has lived through two pandemics and three major economic crises that shook Mexico: the currency devaluation in 1976, the external debt crisis in 1982, and the banking crisis in 1994. She witnessed the first black-and-white TV broadcast in Mexico in 1946, from the bathroom of engineer Guillermo González Camarena's home in Mexico City. More recently, she had to adapt to using the internet and iPhones as tech advances were imposed on her. She is my most influential example of a warrior woman who adapted to generational changes without complaint. I am proud to be a product of her resilience.

I vividly recall my mother reading "Buenhogar" magazine, becoming inspired by the remarkable achievements of women who changed the world, and using them as examples in our conversations. These women became an integral part of my upbringing, serving as powerful role models and reinforcing the belief that women are capable of extraordinary accomplishments.

Buenhogar Magazine

My mother was always the first woman on my list who could never be considered "the weaker sex," given what she achieved, endured, and her bravery. Her initiative to support her children and household is unmatched. She was also known as the good neighbor who helped others; she organized community events to raise funds to build a church, leaving a beautiful legacy for a low-income community to grow in faith.

Amazonian Women Who Shaped My Generation

There are other women who, through generations, shaped my education and served as examples of where possibilities could take us. Some of them I heard about in my mother's conversations; others were a direct influence on my culture and generation.

Gloria Steinem - A leading feminist, journalist, and social-political activist, she was a key figure in the women's liberation movement of the late 20th century.

Indira Gandhi - The first and only female Prime Minister of India, known for her political acumen and central role in Indian politics.

Margaret Thatcher - The first woman to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, she was a transformative and controversial figure in British politics.

Lady Diana Spencer (Princess Diana) - Renowned for her humanitarian work and deep connection with people worldwide.

Madonna - Revolutionized music and popular culture, openly discussing sex and virginity, challenging societal norms.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg - A U.S. Supreme Court Justice who fought tirelessly for gender equality and civil liberties.

Serena Williams - One of the greatest tennis players of all time, breaking barriers in sports and beyond.

Oprah Winfrey - Media mogul and philanthropist, known for her influential talk show and advocacy for education and poverty relief.

Melinda Gates - Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, working to enhance healthcare and reduce poverty worldwide.

Michelle Obama - Former First Lady of the United States, advocate for education, healthy eating, and military families.

Malala Yousafzai - Nobel Peace Prize laureate advocating for girls' education worldwide after surviving an attack by the Taliban.

Greta Thunberg - Environmental activist who has inspired global youth to demand action on climate change.

Women Never Were "The Weaker Sex"

Women have never truly fit the stereotype of "the weaker sex," a notion debunked by research spanning ages and continents. Steven Austad, a prominent authority on aging, has spent nearly twenty years investigating the intriguing phenomenon of women's longer lifespans. His extensive longevity database unequivocally demonstrates that women consistently outlive men by an average of five to six years worldwide. He attributes this longevity to women's inherent robustness, challenging the misconception of physical frailty. Despite lacking the upper body strength and stature of men, women wield power in their emotional and intellectual resilience.

While society often marvels at exceptional female athletes or mythical female warriors like the Amazons, the reality is that everyday women defy stereotypes by demonstrating strength of character and intellect rather than brute force.

Powerful Women Reshaping Mexico

Many Mexican women have risen to prominence and made significant contributions across various fields. Here are ten powerful Mexican women who exemplify strength and influence:

1. María Asunción Aramburuzabala - Businesswoman and former CEO of Grupo Modelo, who has made a substantial impact in the business world.
   

2. Blanca Treviño - CEO of Softtek, a leading IT services provider, breaking barriers in the tech industry.
   

3. Angélica Fuentes - Businesswoman and philanthropist, known for her influential work in the energy sector.
   

4. Eva Gonda de Rivera - A major shareholder in FEMSA, a beverage company, demonstrating significant economic influence.
   

5. Rosalinda Ballesteros - Director of the Institute of Wellbeing and Happiness Sciences at Tecmilenio University, contributing to educational and societal well-being.
   

6. Graciela Márquez Colín - Economist and former Secretary of Economy in Mexico, promoting economic development and gender equality.
   

7. Mónica Flores Barragán - President of ManpowerGroup Latin America, leading in the field of human resources and employment solutions.
   

8. Ana Victoria García - Founder of Victoria147, a business academy for women, empowering female entrepreneurs.
   

9. Mayra González - The first female CEO of Nissan Mexico, a pioneering figure in the automotive industry.
   

10. Beatriz Gasca Acevedo - Entrepreneur and co-founder of Dalia Empower, an organization empowering women entrepreneurs.

These examples demonstrate that the strength and capabilities of Mexican women are vast and varied. They inspire future generations to break free from outdated stereotypes and continue striving for equality and recognition in all spheres of life.

My Own Aspirations

I too have my sights set on a Vogue cover. One day, I will be on that list, highlighting important individuals who are part of certain minorities. Through my work, I will help erase the bad habit of categorizing people by race. I will spotlight superheroes who belong to these minorities and work to change clichés. Additionally, I am in the process of creating stories that will seamlessly mix social classes, as this should become the norm. Just wait and see.