The Need For A Woman of Color Speaker is the Only Acceptable Option

Not one woman or Latinx person will be in the top elected leadership positions – Mayor, Comptroller, and Public Advocate— in New York City. The absence of a Latinx leader at the table for policy and budget decision-making is not an allowable situation, especially in a city where the Latinx population is 30% and increasing. We, therefore, call on the City Council – which for the first time in history will have a 31-member majority of women– to elect a Latina as Speaker. We ask leaders who value diversity, equity, and inclusion to stand with us, as many of us have stood with you.
The Speaker is critical in shaping citywide policy and negotiating the City’s budget. The Council currently has Latinas who are experts in these processes and who represent diverse districts. They stand on the shoulders of a long line of Latina leaders who have advanced New York—from championing public education reforms and running mammoth city and state agencies, to shepherding major multi-service nonprofits and media operations to success. Our footprint, record, and strength are across sectors and institutions—from domestic workers organizing for protections to the highest judiciary of this land, the Supreme Court.

Given what we bring to this city and nation, we cannot allow our voice and leadership to be made absent or placed in the background. We must move the Latinx voice to the front to keep moving New York forward today.