Whether through leading a local chapter, serving on the Board, a committee, or as staff, women are the backbone of Progressive Massachusetts. This March, we want to highlight some of the many women who are leading our movement.
Zayda Ortiz. A longtime organizer and advocate with Progressive Mass, Zayda began her first term as Board President in March 2023. She also continues to lead our local chapter, Mystic Valley Progressives (Malden and Medford). We are excited to see how PM grows and thrives under Zayda’s stewardship!
Get to know Zayda:
PM: Why did you choose PM as the home of your activism?
ZO: My political passion is statewide advocacy and from the start I was always leaning on PM tools and tactics to take my personal advocacy to the next level. It was a natural transition to become a member/chapter leader, board member and now the President of the Board.
PM: What issue are you most passionate about?
ZO: I am passionate about intersectionality of (chose your issue) and equity. There is still a lot of advocacy spaces where black and brown voices and communities aren’t centered or considered. I know that I have a lot of personal privilege being able to show up to lend my voice to make change.
PM: What was the first campaign on which you organized and what did you do?
ZO: The first campaign I worked on was for Bill Clinton ’92 in New Hampshire knocking doors.
PM: Who is your organizing or political idol?
ZO: Dolores Huerta has been my idol since I was a child. I volunteered every summer with farm workers teaching literacy to workers’ children because of her advocacy. I have also had the honor of meeting two of my three organizing idols. I had the pleasure of learning strategy and power mapping from Heather Booth. I had a life long wish to meet Rosie Castro come true a few days after my mother passed away. We had the best conversation about campaigning and maneuvering local politics as a Latina.
PM: What movie or book about your passion issue is your favorite?
ZO: I love documentaries. Two of my role models have great documentaries about their lives and advocacy – Dolores and Heather Booth– Changing the World.
PM: What’s your favorite thing about canvassing or phone banking?
ZO: I love to knock my own neighbors and even though I know lots of folks, I always meet new people. I love to see the diversity of my neighbors’ yards–the potted plants on a porch, veggie garden that fully fills front yard, or Tibetan prayer flags flying proudly in the breeze. I always find something new.
PM: What’s your go to quick campaign meal that is not pizza?
ZO: My go to election morning meal that I make for myself, the candidate, and our volunteers is breakfast tacos Chorizo con Huevo. I get everyone set up at polling locations then run home, make a few dozen tacos, wrap them up in foil and drop them off with a box of joe. The other campaign volunteers are always rubbernecking to see what’s up.
PM: If you could have a mundane super power, what would it be?
ZO: I have the magical powers of finding parking in impossible places.
PM: Tell us something you do that no one knows about or suspects?
ZO: It will surprise many to know that I really enjoy my quiet time. I love to be still. It helps ground me.
Join the movement! Tell us how you’d like to volunteer with Progressive Mass, here.