“I was only 15 when I first stepped onto a small fishing boat. Leaning on the bow that morning and feeling the sea breeze, I decided I would devote my life to the sea.

In 1989, I enrolled at the Merchant Navy Training Academy, graduating four years later as a Deck Officer in Training — the only woman in Mexico to complete the course that year. I sailed on a container ship, which was both my school and my home, and every watch reaffirmed my belief that women are capable and competent.

My time at sea led me to obtain the rank of captain in the merchant marine and become the first woman to command one of the largest and most modern offshore vessels of its time with over 300 crew members on board.

I then moved into public service, becoming the first female merchant marine to head the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine of Mexico. In 2021, I received the Maritime Award of the Americas in the Outstanding Woman in the Sector category, and I was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of my career.

Today, with more experience and conviction, I continue to serve this sector through my company, ABC Marítimo Portuario.

That first sea breeze was definitely the beginning of the best decision of my life”.