Raised in a migrant farmworker family, Mónica Ramírez is an attorney, author, and activist. Whether she is giving a TEDTalk or co-creating the #Mask4Migrants campaign, she builds towards a deep justice for migrants. She is a true powerhouse.
Mónica and I sat down to talk on our Kiskadee podcast about how she came to this work, Latinx representation, and what keeps her going.
Whether she’s talking lovingly about her great grandparents or why migrants need virtual therapy, Mónica has so much wisdom and powerful work to share. Take a listen to our conversation.
We are so proud to have funded Mónica’s #Mask4Migrants campaign at Justice for Migrant Women through our Relief and Resilience Fund. The #Masks4Migrants campaign employs Indigenous women in Guatemala like Rosa Pop who make masks to protect migrant families at the U.S. border. Sustainably made by Mercado Global, an accessory brand and non-profit, .
Watch Rosa talk about her experience working with Mercado Global as part of the #Mask4Migrants campaign.
Many people from my community have migrated to the United States. People from here, San Pedro, and others from San Juan and San Pablo have migrated to the United States.
Honestly, I am happy that I can participate in providing them with a mask [and protection]. It brings me joy that the masks we make here are reaching them. I imagine they are grateful with Mercado Global because they provide us with work, and they also receive a small part too.
About Mónica Ramirez – Mónica Ramírez is an attorney, author and activist. She is the founder of Justice for Migrant Women and co-founder of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, The Latinx House, and Poderistas, a digital community built to celebrate and harness Latinx culture and supported by the Culture Change Fund. Mónica has received numerous awards, including Harvard Kennedy School’s first GenderEquity Changemaker Award, Feminist Majority’s Global Women’s Rights Award and the Smithsonian’s 2018 Ingenuity Award. She was named to Forbes Mexico’s 100 Most Powerful Women’s 2018 list and TIME Magazine included her in its 2021 TIME100 Next list. Mónica is also an inaugural member of the Ford Global Fellowship. Mónica lives in Ohio with her husband and son.