Ifigenia Martínez, legislator, academic and social activist, died

From the Editorial

La Jornada Newspaper
Sunday, October 6, 2024, p. 5

The president of the board of directors of the Chamber of Deputies, Ifigenia Martínez y Hernández, died yesterday at the age of 94, the family of the academic and legislator confirmed to the coordinator of the Morena bench in San Lázaro, Ricardo Monreal Ávila.

It is with deep sadness that I announce the sensitive death of teacher Ifigenia Martínez y Hernández, president of the Chamber of Deputies, information that her family has confirmed to me. May such an extraordinary woman rest in peace and may her loved ones find quick resignation.Monreal published in X.

Martínez, one of the emblematic fighters of the Mexican left, was born on June 16, 1930 and was recognized as one of the first economists to carry out studies on economic and social inequality in Mexico.

As part of her long academic career, she earned a degree, master’s degree, and doctorate in economics from UNAM and was the first Mexican to obtain a master’s degree in economics from Harvard University.

In 1950, she co-founded the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, served as professor of public finance at UNAM from 1957 to 1962, and was a professor at the Center for Latin American Monetary Studies.

In 1960 she was appointed researcher at the Economic Research Institute of the UNAM and in 1967 she was the first woman to head the National School of Economics at the same university. Likewise, in 1968 she was one of the main defenders of that university after the Army occupied the Ciudad Universitaria campus.

Recognized as one of the most important figures in the fight for the democratization of Mexico, Martínez y Hernández is also remembered for having headed the so-called Democratic Current of the PRI, along with Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas and Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, and later participating as a founding member of today extinct Party of the Democratic Revolution.

Before becoming a federal deputy in 2024, she had already held that position in 1976, 1994 and 2009, and also served as senator in two terms: from 1988 to 1991, and from 2018 to 2024, the latter period in which she held the table. board of Deans of San Lázaro. Likewise, he was a member of the Constituent Assembly of Mexico City, from 2016 to 2017.

Doña Ifi, as she was affectionately known, was awarded the Belisario Domínguez Medal on October 7, 2021, the highest distinction awarded by the Mexican State and the Senate of the Republic.

She also received the Benito Juárez Medal in 2009, awarded by the Society of Geography and Statistics, and in March 2019 she was awarded the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Medal, awarded by the Chamber of Deputies to eminent women.

We are finally ahead

The last public appearance of Martínez and Hernández took place on October 1, when they imposed the presidential sash on President Claudia Sheinbaum, in her capacity as president of the board of directors of the Chamber of Deputies.

▲ She was the first Mexican to obtain a master’s degree in economics at Harvard University and the first woman to hold the UNAM Higher School of Economics.Photo María Luisa Severiano

Days before, when asked about the meaning of that act, the legislator said excitedly: Imagine how happy it is that women are finally at the forefront, along with men, to move our great country forward..

As this newspaper reported, at the ceremony for the transfer of federal power, the Morenoist representative stopped reading a message she had planned, for health reasons.

When the outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, removed the presidential sash, he and his successor had to help Ifigenia Martínez to her feet, who said: Son, I’m barely holding on.

Due to his health problems, Martínez only attended the installation of the 66th Legislature in San Lázaro, on August 29, and the aforementioned swearing-in of Sheinbaum, on October 1, but he did not attend the other ordinary sessions of the Chamber of Deputies, which were directed by the vice presidents of the board of directors.

Unanimous mourning in the political class

Upon learning of the death of Martínez and Hernández, President Claudia Sheinbaum noted on her social networks: On June 2 I voted for Ifigenia Martínez, a woman of consistency and convictions. On October 1st I received the presidential sash from your hands. Today he left us. I send his family, colleagues and friends all my love and solidarity. Goodbye, dear teacher Iphigenia.

For her part, the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, stated: It is with deep regret that we learn of the death of the president of the board of directors of the Chamber of Deputies, Ifigenia Martínez, a left-wing social fighter with firm convictions, who placed the presidential sash on the first president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum. My condolences to family and friends.

For his part, the head of the Ministry of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, published: I learn the sad news of the death of teacher Ifigenia Martínez. Extraordinary economist, fighter for democracy and gender parity all her life. Today we suffer an irreparable loss. Rest in peace. My sincere condolences to family and friends.

The PRI bench in San Lázaro also expressed its regret for the death of Martínez and its coordinator, Rubén Moreira, published in X: The country receives sad news. Ifigenia Martínez, president of the Chamber of Deputies, died. Economist and exceptional Mexican. His name remains linked to the greatest contemporary causes. Example of dignity and love for the country. Hugs to your family and party colleagues.

Similarly, the coordinator of the PAN parliamentary group in San Lázaro, Noemí Luna, pointed out on that social network: My deepest condolences on behalf of the PAN deputies to family and loved ones of the president of the Congress of the Union, deputy Ifigenia Martínez. Left-wing woman, human rights defender and pioneer in the feminist struggle. His legacy will last forever.