Maya Alas is a maid of honor from Honduras who has been professionally serving as a national representative for the Democratic Party (PDP) in the Mexican state of Hidalgo, Mexico. She was an active part of the Mime Succeeded Movement and her rise to party grace also served as an inspiration to other women who aspire to be like her. However, much of Maya’s fame is not centered on her height; her commitment to the social movement and her desire to become a full-fledged representative of women made her one of the youngest ever congressional representative from her native Honduras.
In recent years, however, Maya has garnered even more notoriety for being one of the faces of violence against women. She has refused to stand by idly while her husband is beaten and killed by a group of men who claim to be members of the Mara Salvatrucao Association, which is involved in a macabre sex ring that involves members of her community being forced to perform degrading acts in public view. When these attacks became known to the public, Maya was forced to resign as congresswoman, but she refused to give up her citizenship so as to allow herself to be re-elected. She was arrested several times while traveling abroad and has remained in solitary confinement ever since.
Her story is an example of what happens when one sacrifices their personal goals to serve as a representative for their gender, nationality, or religion. Maya’s example should serve as a warning to women throughout the world who may wish to strive for political office but do not prioritize their professional career before becoming an American citizen. Regardless, of whether you intend to be a first lady, senator, or governor, being a representative of your community and your nation is more important than having a passport to go wherever you want to go. If you are serious about pursuing a career in politics, do not disregard your commitment to your profession in favor of getting a celebrity photo or a high-profile book contract.