Ifigenia Martínez, an economist and founder of the PRD, has died. She stood out as a senator and pioneer in the fight for democracy.
The prominent Mexican economist and politician Ifigenia Martínez has passed away on October 5. The details of her death have not yet been revealed, but her departure leaves a deep void in the country’s politics and academia.
Who was Ifigenia Martínez?
Ifigenia Martínez was a relevant figure in the fight for the democratization of Mexico. Her activism began during the student movement of 1968, when, as director of the National School of Economics at UNAM, she firmly opposed government repression. This act of resistance led to her being imprisoned, but it also cemented her commitment to social justice.
Over the years, Martínez continued her political work, first within the PRI, a party in which she was a member for 20 years, and then as founder of the PRD alongside Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas and Porfirio Muñoz Ledo. In 1988, she became the first woman elected as a senator for Mexico City, a fact that marked a milestone in female participation in national politics.
In October 2021, she was awarded the Belisario Domínguez Medal, the highest distinction granted by the Mexican State.
Ifigenia Martínez maintained a close relationship with President Claudia Sheinbaum, supporting her Fourth Transformation project. Sheinbaum always recognized Martínez as a woman who paved the way for others, highlighting her consistency and commitment to the democratic struggle in Mexico.
RIP Ifigenia Martha Martinez y Hernandez