Palacio Podcast
Mary Zendejas Knows A Thing or Two About Courage and Passion
Mary Zendejas is an announced candidate for the vacant District 1 City Council seat. Ms. Zendejas is the founder of Professional Abilities Association of America, an organization created for working professionals with disabilities and is a Board Director for Long Beach Transit.
Mary Zendejas speaks candidly about being stricken with polio as an infant in Mexico and the impact throughout her life. Her parents brought her to the United States when she was three years old in an effort to provide her with better healthcare options at the time. It turned out to be more.
“What I thought they did was they gave me a chance at life.”
Zendejas learned powerful lessons from her parents in those early days. She explains how they would always tell her, “Mija, your legs may be weak, your arms may be weak, but your mind is the strongest thing you have.” It is a lesson that she holds onto very strongly. Those words from the parents of Mary Zendejas proved to be important guides for her to conquer any obstacle put in front of her.
PalacioMagazine.com interviewed Zendejas recently about the themes of courage, passion, and commitment in her life. We asked her how she expects to bring those traits to her campaign for Long Beach City Council and the policy issues she must address.
Mary Zendejas Biography
“As an infant, Mary Zendejas was stricken by polio. In high school, she started to use a wheelchair. Whenever challenges or barriers present themselves, Mary tackles them, motivated by her tenacity for life and her role models, her parents. Mary is a proud California State University, Long Beach Alumni, where she obtained her B.A. in Communication Studies. The first in her family to become a college graduate, she serves as a role model for her family and community.
In 2012, Mary was crowned Ms. Wheelchair California. She used her platform to promote personal independence for people with disabilities. She advocated for self-advocacy, higher education, and quality employment opportunities for the people living with disabilities throughout the state of California. Mary’s passion for developing a stronger and more integrated disability community led her to become the founder of the Professional Abilities Association of America, an organization created for working professionals with disabilities by working professionals with disabilities, focusing on inclusion in the workforce.
Mary continuously elevates herself through a series of leadership opportunities like Leadership Long Beach Institute and other leadership roles. She serves as a Board Director for Long Beach Transit, a leading company in the transportation industry. Until last month she was Ms. Wheelchair America’s, National Vice President and their National Independent Delegate Coordinator; whose mission is to provide an opportunity of achievement for women who happen to be wheelchair users to successfully educate and advocate for the more than 54 mission American living with disabilities. In addition, she was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Disabled Resources Center, an independent living centers that strives to empower people with disabilities to live independently in their community.
Mary has developed and implemented MAPS 2 College, a mentoring program in partnership with California State University, Long Beach / Disabled Student Services, The Long Beach Unified School District, and the Murphy Family Foundation. This program is designed to assist and guide students with special needs, in the transition from high school to colleges with the hopes of transforming them into successful college students and ultimately college graduates. The program aims to provide self-empowerment through life fulfillment activities while promoting independence and a quality lifestyle.
In addition, Mary is a powerful and inspirational Speaker and has presented for well over 7000 people in various private and public sectors throughout the state of California. Mary has been honored with the following awards: The American Business Women’s Association, 2017 Diamond in the Sky Award. The California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) 2016 Gene Lentzner, Human Relations Award, Disabled Resource Center 2015 Civic Leadership Award, Teachers Association of Long Beach (TALB) 2015 Human Rights Award, The Robert Schlesinger “Making A Difference 2015 Award, The Patrick O’Donnell 2015 “Women of Distinction” Award and The Long Beach Post “40 under 40” 2013 Award. Mary is a longtime advocate for affordable housing. The housing crisis that is being faced right now, fuels Mary’s to work harder in calibration with other housing advocates to find solutions.
Mary is currently working for GNS Medical Supplies, as the Director of Regional Accounts. She manages the California location and is providing direct services to people living with disabilities and building strong relationships statewide in that capacity.”
