Lesson made on February 14, 2025
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Reading Lesson:
Claudia Sheinbaum is the President of Mexico. She is the first woman and the first Jewish person to be elected to this role. Before becoming president, she was the mayor of Mexico City from 2018 to 2023. She won the 2024 presidential election by a large amount and started her six-year term on October 1.
Sheinbaum is not only a politician but also a scientist. She has studied energy and the environment for many years. She grew up in Mexico City and studied physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She continued her education there, earning a master’s degree and a doctorate in energy engineering. After finishing her studies, she became an engineering professor at UNAM in 1995.
Sheinbaum has been interested in politics since she was a student. She became involved in environmental policies in the early 2000s when she was appointed Mexico City’s environmental minister. In this role, she helped improve public transportation by introducing the Metrobus system and overseeing the construction of new roads.
In 2018, Sheinbaum was elected mayor of Mexico City. As mayor, she focused on improving public transportation, expanding rainwater collection, and planting more trees. She also worked on waste management and tried to modernize the city’s subway system, but some accidents continued to happen.
In 2023, Sheinbaum stepped down as mayor to run for president. She believes in providing basic rights such as healthcare, education, and jobs for all citizens. One of her main goals is to reduce Mexico’s use of oil and gas for energy and instead invest in cleaner sources like solar and wind power.
Comprehension Questions:
Speaking and Writing Activities:
– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.
– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.
1. Sheinbaum has a background in science and engineering. Do you think scientists make good leaders? Why or why not?
2. What is the public transportation like in your city? How could it be improved?
3. Does your country have any female leaders? Describe them.
More Reading Practice:
Other Female Leaders Around the World
Many women have led countries and made important decisions that shaped history. One well-known leader is Angela Merkel, who was the Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021. She helped strengthen Germany’s economy and played a key role in European politics. Another important leader is Jacinda Ardern, who served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2017 to 2023. She was known for her quick response to crises, including natural disasters and public health emergencies.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the President of Liberia in 2006, making history as the first elected female leader in Africa. She worked to rebuild her country after years of conflict. In Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen became the first female president in 2016. She focused on improving Taiwan’s economy and strengthening its international relationships.
In South America, Michelle Bachelet was elected President of Chile twice, first in 2006 and again in 2014. She worked on education reforms and improving healthcare. Another influential leader is Sahle-Work Zewde, who became the President of Ethiopia in 2018. Although her role is mostly ceremonial, she has been a strong advocate for women’s rights and education.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador
Before Claudia Sheinbaum became President of Mexico, the leader of the country was Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He was in office from 2018 to 2024. Sheinbaum and López Obrador share many political ideas, and they have worked closely together for many years.
When López Obrador was the mayor of Mexico City in the early 2000s, he appointed Sheinbaum as the city’s environmental minister. Later, when he became president, she was elected as the mayor of Mexico City. Both of them are part of the same political party, MORENA, which focuses on social programs, reducing inequality, and strengthening government services.
Even though Sheinbaum agrees with many of López Obrador’s ideas, she also has her own approach to leadership. One of the biggest differences between them is their views on energy. While López Obrador supported Mexico’s oil industry, Sheinbaum wants to focus more on renewable energy, such as solar and wind power. Their relationship is based on years of political cooperation, but as president, Sheinbaum will make her own decisions about the country’s future.