Maria Ivonne Treviño Rodriguez

I attribute my success to my deep desire for social justice. My personal experiences growing up poor, from an immigrant family, in a community that lacked infrastructure and resources due to failed policy-making and lack of representation. I seek to humanize people like me, and to invest in communities that are often overlooked, because I know that if we invested in folks struggling to survive, that they could invest and build up their communities by giving back. I yearn to make this world a better place for kids that might be growing up in the same spaces that I grew up in.

Growing up, I thought the only way to help people was through the natural sciences — curing cancer, healing folks who were suffering from diseases, and getting folks the healthcare they needed to survive. Because of this, I went to a high school for health professions. But, when I started taking political science and sociology courses at my university, I realized that I was curious about the political and social systems that left folks sick, unable to advocate for their needs at the local, statewide, and federal level. Those systemic barriers became something I wanted to tackle and reduce through the political process. And, just like I learned about those issues, I’d tell anyone to follow their gut and to let their lived experience guide their work. Then, with all the care in the world, be the best at what you do, because you benefit others most when you enjoy what you're doing. Lastly, make sure what you focus on is something that affected or affects your day-to-day. You should have a personal reason to care about it. That’s how you fight for something that is real, tangible, and that allows you to have a personal informed experience.

You cannot do anything alone. Therefore, the first piece of advice I would give is that you should always seek to work with others around you that share your vision and values. Seek to build power, rather than keep people out of it. And, always believe that when things don't seem like they're lined up to succeed; that you have the power to shift minds and hearts and change outcomes that may seem inevitable. Do whatever you can to get things done that benefit your community and others.

As political issues and sentiments shift, and political power shifts, fear amongst donors and investors increases, especially whenever there are economic challenges the country is facing. Because of this, be creative and engage non-traditional folks in your work, because the political operatives or the establishment tends to make safe, often less dynamic decisions. Try to meet the moment, respond to issues not how others have done before, but grounded in history that guides you. Don't be afraid of trying something new as you're seeking to organize folks, change people's minds, and encourage folks to vote.

Resilience, passion, curiosity, a care for people, and a hunger for justice.