By Kevin Hendricks
It was a night of firsts at Emerge America’s 20th anniversary gala in San Francisco on April 30, as former Vice President Kamala Harris returned to the national spotlight and New Mexico Senator Cindy Nava was honored as a “trailblazing alum” of the political organization.
In her first public speech since leaving office in January and losing the Presidential election to Donald Trump in November, Harris blasted Trump’s first 100 days of his second term.
Less than an hour later, Emerge America President A’shanti F. Gholar introduced Nava and presented the New Mexican freshman senator with the organization’s first Kamala Harris Trailblazer Award, which was created to “recognize an Emerge alum who has not only accomplished significant first for herself and her community, but who is forging a path that so that other women can also walk it.”
Gholar said the award demonstrates Emerge’s goal of increasing the number of women in office, similar to Harris, who break new ground in politics and work to create opportunities and experiences for other women.
“We expect great things for Cindy in the future, and she is already doing great things in her first term in the New Mexico Senate,” Gholar said. “Cindy is not only a dreamer, she is a fighter, standing up to protect immigrant communities. As our VP said, these times are extreme, with women like Cindy in office, the future is indeed so bright, Cindy, I absolutely love you so much. I am so proud of you.”
Nava made history in November when she was elected to the New Mexico state legislature, becoming the first former undocumented person and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient to be elected to a public office in America.
A resident of Bernalillo, Nava was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of seven. She achieved the distinction of being the first in her family to graduate from both high school and college. Before her election, Nava was the first Dreamer to be appointed by the White House, serving as Senior Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Biden Administration.
Following her groundbreaking victory, Nava now represents District 9 in the state Senate, encompassing Corrales, Placitas, Bernalillo, and sections of Rio Rancho and Albuquerque.
Nava expressed gratitude for the award as a recognition of collective resilience and the work of many who paved the way for her. She reaffirmed her commitment to opening doors and lifting others.
“It was incredibly humbling to be honored on the same stage as one of my personal heroes. But, this moment was not about me alone—it felt like it was about every woman, every advocate, every trailblazer who paved the road before me. I am truly standing on the shoulders of so many giants—mothers, organizers, educators, leaders—who dared to dream of a more just and inclusive world, and who worked tirelessly to make it possible.”
Nava called the award a full-circle moment, going from being excluded from the democratic process to serving as a New Mexico State Senator. She said the stories and sacrifices of the women who came before her are carried with her daily. This award celebrates shared strength and the importance of perseverance, regardless of the challenges faced.
“Emerge has always played an instrumental role in my journey, just as it has in the journeys of so many incredible women across the country,” Nava said. “I accepted this award not only with deep gratitude, but with a renewed commitment to continue opening doors and lifting others up as so many have done for me.”