Finally, They Elected the Right One!
Yahaira Lopez is one of the most committed, consistent, dedicated, and impactful advocates I’ve ever met in my entire life. Most notably, her reinvigoration of the work needed at Mass and Cass can be attributed to her work. She often shies away from the notion, but by my observation, her leadership was paramount in what we’re observing in the Wu Administration. She’s been doing this a long time.
I first met Yahaira as a young adult working at the Whittier Street Community Health Center as a Lead Health Educator. I immediately recognized her passion and leadership. It was natural to her, and probably why she is so impactful. We need that type of leadership among activism on the ground and in elected positions, and Yahaira is the right one! Her ‘ self-earned’ and in my opinion, not “given” title, is strengthened by her advocacy for her son in education spaces.
Yahaira calls herself a “Momvocate”. One of her sons is a unique learner (on the Autism spectrum), and she found herself in situations for which she needed to do research around the state and municipal education laws. She is well-versed. That’s one of the reasons I fully assert that she is the right one to be elected. Not only did she apply herself, learn and advocate for her son effectively, but she also didn’t keep that information to herself. As she does with the information she obtains in other quality of life spaces, she shares that information with the community. I think that is an essential role of an elected official.
I don’t believe this will be her only office. Her impact, model, and example of both information sharing and service will propel us to propel her to a space where being the right one to be elected will have a greater impact.
Though Yahaira recently unsuccessfully ran for office, it’s clear that it was destined for her voice to be raised as an elected official.
