Mar 13
In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dulce Vasquez, who's not only making waves in the political arena by running for California State Assembly District 57 but also reshaping the conversation around ADHD and mental health. At 36, Dulce's life took a transformative turn with her ADHD diagnosis, providing her with the clarity she'd been seeking in both her academic pursuits and political endeavors.
As a formerly undocumented LGBTQ+ Latina, Dulce brings a rich tapestry of experiences to the table. Her advocacy work spans across education, housing, public transportation, and the rights of the LGBTQ+ and women's communities. Serving as the Assistant Vice President for Arizona State University's Los Angeles outpost, her journey from being a Los Angeles City Commissioner to a contender for the Los Angeles City Council and now a candidate for the State Assembly showcases her commitment to societal change.
During our conversation, Dulce opens up about the challenges and revelations of living with inattentive type ADHD and complex PTSD. From navigating the world of medications to the intricacies of personal and professional relationships, her story is one of vulnerability, resilience, and empowerment. Dulce's candid sharing underscores the significant role personal narratives play in driving societal change and highlights the importance of representation and understanding within our communities.
Join us as Dulce Vasquez shares her inspiring journey, her challenges and triumphs with ADHD, and her passionate advocacy for accessible mental health care. Her story is a powerful reminder of the intersection between the personal and the political, and the profound impact of embracing one's true self.
Tune in to hear more about Dulce Vasquez's remarkable journey and her vision for a more inclusive and understanding society. Whether you're interested in the political implications of ADHD, the journey of self-discovery, or the nuances of advocating for mental health, this episode promises insights and inspiration in equal measure.
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"I've gotten even more open as time has progressed because there is a community that wants to be connected, wants to feel validated, and wants to know that the people that were electing are not just making these policy decisions from a data sheet."
- Dulce Vasquez
"I'm going to legislate out of my personal experience. I'm going to legislate out of the fact that you should have mental health care access quicker. People shouldn't be waiting months for an appointment, it should be cost-effective and we should talk about it."
- Dulce Vasquez
"I was so upset over how the city was responding, about how the state was responding lack of urgency, a lack of creativity. We have this once-in-a-lifetime thing (Covid), and you're just sort of dawdling instead of being like, hey, this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, all rules are off, let's just figure it out to save as many people's lives as we can."
- Dulce Vasquez
"Being kinder to myself has been such a relief, understanding myself and just being able to say like, 'Whatever's gonna happen, it's gonna happen."
- Dulce Vasquez
- Dulce Vasquez is a passionate advocate for education, civic leadership, and LGBTQ+ rights, currently running for California State Assembly District 57.
- Dulce was diagnosed with ADHD about a year and a half ago, at age 36, after recognizing traits in themselves through self-reflection and listening to other women's experiences.
- Dulce reflects on their experience with ADHD during a political campaign, feeling invalidated and struggling with depression.
- Dulce Vasquez struggles with inconsistent medication supply and managing their ADHD symptoms through running and setting goals for themselves.
- Dulce shares their personal experience with mental health and abortion, opening up about their struggles and advocating for better access to care.
- Dulce finds relief in being authentic and kind to themselves during their campaign, despite initial fears and doubts.
- Dulce Vasquez highlights her ability to make connections and think creatively as key strengths in her political work.
- Dulce demonstrated empathy and justice sensitivity in her decision to run for city council during the pandemic.
- Upon finding out Dulce has an ADHD, her close friends and family members have formed a supportive pack of "wolves" who understand and appreciate each other's neurodiversity.
