Meet Montserrat Castro-Gomez, Public Policy Fellow
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Querétaro, México.
Where do you feel most at home?
Driving through the Mexican Federal Highway 57 (Carretera San Luis Potosí – Querétaro), the Atlantic coast of México, and having a meal with either of my parents.
What inspires you, professionally and personally?
Feminist theory, women leaders, poliglots, the idea of making a positive impact in the world, and good literature.
What are your areas of expertise or what areas are particularly interesting to you?
I find public policy to be very interesting and gratifying work, especially the way in which small efforts, collectively, can cause a huge impact in our communities. I have experience with journalism, gender and feminist theory, and languages.
Share one thing you have learned, big or small, doing your work over the past year?
I’ve learned that things are uncertain and temporary in a way that makes anything we do at any point in our lives an opportunity to be intentional, caring, empathetic, and loving to the people around us.
Who inspires you?
My brother Daniel.
What do you do to relax, de-stress or recharge your batteries?
I like to crochet things for my friends, read Margaret Atwood novels, and go on long walks.
Why have you chosen to do this kind of work?
I think doing advocacy work is about perpetuating a belief system based on empathy, compassion, and humanity — a series of values that are hard to come across in our actual social system. However, each human being has the power of extending them to themselves, to other people, and to their communities. When you develop around this belief system, and once you apply it to most things you do in life, the effect can be revolutionary. We just have to have faith in the ripple effect of revolutionary things, and keep doing them, every day and every moment.
What is your favorite food?
Pozole, mole, sushi, tomatoes and artichokes.
What is your favorite book?
I’ve always liked The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Safón, and at the moment, Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood