Meet Claudia Sheinbaum: Physicist Likely To Be Mexico’s 1st Woman President

Claudia Sheinbaum, a seasoned politician and environmental engineer, stands at the forefront of Mexico's political arena, vying for the esteemed position of president. As the nation gears up for its largest election ever on June 2, 2024, all eyes are on Sheinbaum and her bid to become Mexico's first female president.

Who Is Claudia Sheinbaum?

Sheinbaum is a member of  President Obrador’s National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, which stands tall with an extensive lead in the polls. If this continues, Sheinbaum is likely to spearhead the party as its presidential candidate, paving the way for the country to elect its first female leader. While President Obrador has said in public that he has no favourite candidate, reports and close aides to the president revealed that he would, without a doubt, want Sheinbaum to lead the country after him. President Obrador’s mission to bring social change within the fabric of his country would go a considerable step further if he and the country can elect the first woman president in 2024, which could be both historic and inspirational.

Born on 24 June, 1962, in the vibrant heart of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum's trajectory towards political prominence was rooted in her upbringing and academic pursuits. Raised by esteemed scientists Annie Pardo Cemo and Carlos Sheinbaum, Claudia inherited a passion for knowledge and a drive for excellence. Her journey through academia led her to the prestigious halls of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), where she honed her intellect and pursued her fervor for understanding the natural world.

Undeterred by the complexities of environmental challenges, she continued her scholarly pursuits, obtaining a Master's degree in energy engineering and ultimately a doctorate in environmental engineering. Her groundbreaking research, conducted at the esteemed University of California's Berkeley Lab, digs deep into Mexico's energy consumption trends, offering invaluable insights into the nation's environmental arena.

She has also authored over a hundred articles on the topics of energy, sustainable development, and the environment. She completed her thesis at the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory in California. In her research, she analysed the use of energy in Mexico’s transportation and published several studies on the then ongoing trends of energy use by Mexican buildings.

Fuelled by her passion for social and environmental justice, Claudia Sheinbaum seamlessly transitioned from academia to activism, embarking on a journey to effect meaningful change through political channels. In 1998, she played a pivotal role in the establishment of the student-led Revolutionary Democratic Party, cementing her commitment to advocating for the rights of the people.

Her foray into governmental affairs began in 2000, when she assumed the role of Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City under the leadership of then-Mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Throughout her tenure, Sheinbaum spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and combating environmental degradation. Notable accomplishments include the implementation of the revolutionary Metrobus system and the construction of essential infrastructure projects to alleviate traffic congestion.

Given her background, she served as the Secretary of the Environment of the City from 2000 to 2006. She also served as the Mayor of Tlalpan from 2015 to 2017. In 2018, she was listed as one of BBC's 100 inspirational women.

Sheinbaum had significantly contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The panel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Pitching her candidacy, Sheinbaum looks to bring about change

Sheinbaum was the second woman to hold the office of Mayor after she was elected as part of the Juntos Haremos Historia coalition in 2018. She holds a record for making the city safe for women and assisting families by offering free daycare for children. Sheinbaum, who believes she is the torchbearer of the current president's ideologies, has also expressed that her work goes beyond the party and that her vision to work towards green technology can be a huge shift in Mexico's development.