By Lily Ana Marquez

1. What motivates me to show up as a parent leader and advocate?

Being the parent of two children who are very different motivates me to continue as a parent leader and a strong advocate. It is my responsibility to ensure they and all children have what they need to thrive. I show up as a leader and advocate because my children still need someone to pave the way, to speak up when they can’t, and to influence systems that directly affect their lives. I believe that policies should be created by parents or in collaboration with them, so they reflect the real needs and experiences of families. My motivation is rooted in keeping my children’s well-being at the forefront of every decision and working toward a future where all families are seen, heard, and supported. Therefore, parents need to be involved in the well-being of their children by being present, engaged, and showing up when important decisions are made affecting their lives. Children and families have different needs; therefore, policies and systems need to change to reflect the needs of their constituents, making sure no one is left behind. If a child has what they need emotionally, intellectually, physically, mentally, and socially then they will grow up to be the best versions of themselves. Having a holistic mentality and approach will encourage a child to have long-term success and happiness. Knowing that motivates me to show up for my children and others because I believe that everyone’s needs must be met to thrive in life, and focusing on all of those factors can make a huge and positive impact in people’s lives.

2. What inspires me to advocate for better child care and early education (CCEE) policies and experiences for children and families?

I’m inspired by the urgent need for change in systems that are outdated and no longer meet the evolving needs of today’s families. Families deserve options, flexibility, diversity, and inclusivity. Families need to be at the table when decisions are being made about them. I advocate for better CCEE policies because I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of access to child care and early education can shape a child’s future. I believe that when parents are part of the policy-making process, the outcomes are more equitable, inclusive, effective, and truly family-centered.

3. What is one of my biggest accomplishments as a parent advocate?

One of my proudest accomplishments has been successfully advocating for child care access for families who qualify but often fall through the cracks. I’ve also fought for my own child’s right to be evaluated when the health care system never saw anything wrong but I had a strong intuition that there was something wrong. Therefore, I followed up with health care providers and then went through a lengthy evaluation system to find out that my child did have a special needs diagnosis. So when he finally was given that diagnosis, I had to follow up with the school to make sure they were implementing the Individualized Education Program, ensuring that teachers, staff, and stakeholders stay engaged and accountable for his well-being and educational needs. When I lived in San Francisco I advocated for “Baby” Prop C, which is a commercial tax to fund early childhood education. The commercial rent tax applies to businesses with over $1 million in gross receipts. The passage of this proposition created funding for much-needed services. These personal and community wins have reinforced my belief that advocacy can lead to real, lasting change when passionate people are persistent, informed, organized, present, and involved in the process. We need to unite and work together to create the change we want to see in the world which will benefit those in need.

4. What excites me about this fellowship?

I’m excited to deepen my knowledge of child care and early education policy, understanding not only what needs to change, but how to strategically influence the decision-makers who can make it happen. I look forward to learning alongside other passionate advocates, understanding best practices for successful policies, gaining tools to elevate parent voices, and contributing to a movement that prioritizes investment in children. I truly believe it is better to support and uplift children early than to try and repair the consequences later in life. Therefore, we need to invite those impacted by the issues to get involved in the solutions, and we need to work with stakeholders and others to make sure we can successfully make a strong community impact.

5. How do I hope to use my skills and expertise to enhance the work of CLASP and the broader CCEE policy space?

I hope to contribute my passion, bilingual skills, educational background, and professional experience to amplify parent voices in policy spaces. I have professional work experience in the corporate world, education sector, and non-profit sector, demonstrating my adaptability and resilience in diverse environments. Most importantly, I’m committed to using my lived experience and advocacy to push for equitable, parent-informed solutions in early care and education. I hope to learn and collaborate with CLASP and the CCEE team to make sure we are creating diverse and inclusive policies in different states and on the federal and national levels. Families need options and different pathways to education and work which ultimately will be mutually beneficial for families and the economy by making sure kids are learning while parents are earning livable wages. Once people engage and help influence change, they will be empowered. Therefore, incorporating lived experiences while policies are created allows for a more effective, equitable, and relevant programs and systems. Individuals who have direct and firsthand knowledge on social issues that affect them can provide insights into policies to help change, improve, and create policies. Today more than ever it is important for everyone to get engaged and influence policy that has a huge effect on our lives.

6. Outside of my advocacy, what are some of my favorite things to do?

Outside of advocacy, I love spending time with my kids taking them to the park, encouraging play, and helping them build friendships and healthy habits through active fun. I encourage exploration and relationship-building with hopes they will socialize with others. I also look forward to giving my children new experiences and exposing them to different opportunities that I hope will help them grow. Traveling together is especially important to me; I want them to explore places beyond their comfort zone, see the diversity of the world, develop a broader appreciation for what they have, have a more compassionate perspective of life, and adapt to changes, which I hope will also persuade them to count their blessings. Hopefully they will find something they are passionate about while making this world a better place for all.

Read more about the fellowship here.