Introduction to Claudia Sheinbaum
Claudia Sheinbaum, the 63-year-old President of Mexico, created history on September 15 by becoming the first woman to deliver the Independence Day speech from the central balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City’s Zócalo.
Historical Significance
Sheinbaum, who won a landslide victory in the 2024 elections to become Mexico’s first female president, marked the 215th anniversary of the “Grito de Dolores,” a symbolic call to arms initiated by priest Miguel Hidalgo in 1810. This event, attended by thousands, commemorates the beginning of Mexico’s fight for independence.
“Viva las heroínas anónimas”
Around 11:00 PM local time, accompanied by her spouse Jesús María Tarriba, Sheinbaum stepped onto the main balcony to perform the traditional “Grito de Independencia.” She emphasized the mention of female heroes, including Josefa Ortiz, her maiden name.
- Speech Highlights:
- Viva la independencia, viva Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
- Viva Josefa Ortiz Téllez Girón
- Viva José María Morelos y Pavón, Leona Vicario, Ignacio Allende, Gertrudis Bocanegra, Vicente Guerrero, Manuela Moilna, ‘la Capitana’
- Viva las heroínas anónimas, viva las mujeres indígenas, viva nuestras hermanas y hermanos migrantes
- Viva la dignidad del pueblo de México, viva la libertad, viva la igualdad, viva la democracia, viva la justicia, viva México libre independiente y soberano.
- Final Call: ¡Viva México, viva México, viva México!
Guardia de honor
Before appearing on the central balcony of the National Palace, Sheinbaum paid respects to the “Benemérita y Dulcísima Madre de la Patria” (Honored and Very Sweet Mother of the Homeland), Leona Vicario, through a guard change.
La presidenta de México realizó una guardia de honor ante el retrato de Leona Vicario. Especial / Captura de video
However, the event did not escape Mexico’s reality. Due to safety concerns, the state of Sinaloa and several municipalities in Michoacán canceled mass celebrations.
Sheinbaum’s Leadership
Since assuming power on October 1, 2024, Sheinbaum has presented herself as “presidenta con ‘a'” and the “commander” of the Armed Forces, reviewing them in indigenous-patterned attire. Military leaders also refer to her as such.
Sheinbaum is the first woman to lead the Independence Day ceremony from the presidential balcony, a tradition dominated by men for over a century in this deeply machista country. AFP
Historian Lorenzo Meyer told AFP that Sheinbaum’s appearance before those attending the Zócalo “opens a space that was tacitly barred to women.” He also emphasized that Mexican society has finally accepted that “gender does not matter” in political power circles.
