As a woman running for public office, what legacy do you hope your candidacy leaves for the next generation of woman and girls in our community?
Our campaign has done listening sessions and other events that centered voices of BIPOC leaders, small business owners, Spanish-speaking community members, educators, and people experiencing homelessness. What I’ve loved about those events has been all the ways the people in the room -once they were given the opportunity to share what was on their hearts- immediately started working together to solve the problems they were facing. They know best what will work for them and they appreciate leadership that does not simply dictate the outcome, but works with them to co-design creative solutions. So, I would love for our campaign to be remembered for how we amplified the voices of others and helped community members to tap into their collective power. If our future leaders carry on that legacy our community will benefit for generations to come.
What do you hope another woman or young girl sees in you that gives her the courage to believe, “If she can do it so can I?
I hope anyone looking back on my candidacy would be able to see something in me that gives them permission to be their authentic self.
So often girls and women are given the message they have to be quiet, agreeable, and smile through the pain to get anywhere. They are asked directly or indirectly to take up less space so others can feel comfortable. Those messages do not just come once or twice. They come often and over many years. So, it can take a lot of deep, personal work and great courage to undo the internalization of those messages. So, if I can be an example to even just one person that on the other side of all that work, there is a version of you -that authentic version- that deserves to exist, I will call that a win!
Campaign website: https://drjessgarcia.com
Social media:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjessgarcia
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/@drjessgarcia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dr-Jess-Garcia-for-Mayor/61589265026544/
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/DrJessGarcia/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjessgarcia
Rochester Women Magazine Statement
Rochester Women Magazine is committed to elevating the voices of individuals in our community. This candidate spotlight is part of our effort to inform and engage readers by introducing candidates seeking elected office in Rochester and Olmsted County.
Rochester Women Magazine does not endorse or oppose any candidate. These features are intended solely to provide voters with an opportunity to learn more about the individuals who have chosen to serve their communities through public office.