# Women Shaping Chicago: Beatriz Ponce de León, Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights

- Date: March 31, 2025
- Type: Video
- Length: 1:30
- Topic: Other
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W1EQQOGSoA)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 255 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/7W1EQQOGSoA.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Description

Beatriz Ponce de León is spearheading change as Chicago’s first Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights. Her unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming Chicago is truly inspiring and I am proud to work alongside her to strengthen our city. #WomenShapingChicago

## Transcript

[0:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/7W1EQQOGSoA?t=0) As the daughter of Mexican immigrants and the oldest of three sisters, we grew up in a neighborhood where we were one of the very few Mexican families and didn't always feel included. It's truly a privilege to be the first deputy mayor for immigrant migrant refugee rights in the city of Chicago to work on policies and programs that help make our city more inclusive and welcoming for everyone. I've always looked for ways to connect people who were left out because of their race, because

[0:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/7W1EQQOGSoA?t=30) of their socioeconomic status, because of their gender, their age, helping make sure that they are connected to those possibilities and those opportunities. And I think that's really what being in this country is about, to come here and have opportunities to live a happy, productive life, to reach their potential. People have been thankful for the work that this office is doing. they had never felt as seen or taken into account before as immigrants or refugees. When I think about women that have shaped how I am as a leader, I have to start with my mom.

[1:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/7W1EQQOGSoA?t=64) My mom was a feminist and in support of our educational aspirations, our dreams. To the young women in Chicago, I would say every time that you have an interaction, be open to the possibilities that that might bring. And also be fearless. Stand up for what you believe in. Know that you have to be bold. You have to take risks to make a difference in the world.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/7W1EQQOGSoA · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt