# Ifigenia to Preside Over the House of Representatives in San Lázaro; Will Place Presidential Sash on Sheinbaum
**August 28, 2024**
Ifigenia Martha Martínez y Hernández will serve as the President of the Board of Directors of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the Union. This decision comes as part of the LXVI Legislature, which will commence on September 1, 2024.
The elected legislators of the party unanimously decided in their plenary meeting on August 28, 2024, to assign this role to Martínez y Hernández. Consequently, she will be the one to officially place the presidential sash on Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo when Sheinbaum assumes the office of President on October 1, 2024.
### Who is Ifigenia Martha Martínez y Hernández?
Ifigenia Martha Martínez y Hernández, 94 years old, holds a degree in Economics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and was the first Mexican woman to earn a Master’s and a Doctorate in Economics from Harvard University. She was also involved in the 1968 student movement in Mexico.
Martínez has served as a federal deputy four times and has been a senator of the Republic twice. She held the position of Mexico’s ambassador to the United Nations, was a candidate for the Head of Government of the Federal District, and served as the general secretary of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD).
In 1948, she co-founded the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). She received the National Economics Award in 1960 and was named “Woman of the Year” in 1966. She is considered one of the ten most influential intellectual women in Latin America and was the first director of the Economics Faculty at UNAM.
On October 7, 2021, the Senate of the Republic awarded her the Belisario Domínguez Medal for her academic, economic, and political merits, as well as her contributions to Mexico’s democracy.
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### Related News
**Claudia Sheinbaum’s Transition into Presidency**
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s transition into the presidency marks a historical shift. As the first woman to hold this office in Mexico, Sheinbaum’s administration is set to bring numerous reforms. Her tenure promises a focus on environmental sustainability, social justice, and educational reform, as indicated during her campaign.
**Mexico’s New Political Landscape**
San Lázaro’s new legislative dynamics will significantly influence the nation’s political landscape. With Ifigenia Martínez y Hernández presiding over the House, expectations for progressive economic policies and robust political debates are high. Analysts predict that her extensive experience and academic background will contribute positively to legislative procedures and reforms.
*Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for more updates on this developing story and other impactful news.*