Quintana Roo Governor Honors 11 Women With State Award

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa presented the Premio Estatal Mujer Quintanarroense Destacada 2026 to 11 women in recognition of their talent, leadership, and contributions to transforming Quintana Roo.

The awards ceremony, organized by the Secretaría de las Mujeres (SEMUJERES) as part of Women’s Month activities, took place at the Chetumal Convention Center. The governor described the event as “profoundly significant” for the state, emphasizing her administration’s commitment to addressing challenges women have faced historically.

“Today we do justice to women,” Lezama said, highlighting what she called a “humanist government with a feminist heart” that works to make women’s contributions visible.

Esther Burgos Jiménez, head of SEMUJERES, thanked the 125 women who applied for the awards and congratulated the 11 winners whose work has elevated Quintana Roo locally, nationally, and internationally. She said the award reflects the government’s commitment to placing women at the center of decision-making.

The governor noted the historic moment for Mexico with Claudia Sheinbaum as president, calling it symbolic proof that “women can be whatever they want to be.” She pointed out that Quintana Roo now has its first female governor, a female majority in the state congress, federal deputies, magistrates, and municipal presidents.

The award recipients spanned 11 categories:

• Fátima Lizzet Sulub Vázquez – Social Impact
• Sandye Arletty Burgos Favela – Business
• Christine Elizabeth McCoy Cador – Science and Technology
• Lilia Denisse Peña Salazar – Education
• Amanda Beatriz Tah Arana – Culture
• Lya Daniela Sánchez Tadeo – Sports
• Karla Ampelia Argote Estrada – Ecology
• Jacqueline Ganzo Olivares – Tourism
• Rosalinda Cauich Ramírez – Indigenous Communities
• Mariana Tun Poot – Health
• Norma Patricia Suárez Castellote – Communication

The ceremony included representatives from all three branches of government, along with military and security officials: Deputy Renán Sánchez Tajonar represented the legislature; Magistrate Gabriela del Carmen Rodríguez Díaz represented the judiciary; Brigadier General Fidel Mondragón Rivero, commander of the 34th Military Zone; Vice Admiral Marco Antonio Muñoz Hernández, commander of the 11th Naval Zone; and Brigadier General Sergio López Acosta, state coordinator of the National Guard.