Reinas on the Rise: Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez Creating Change

Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez sets the standards high for Norteno’s 210 Reinas on the Rise in recognition of Women’s History Month. Brownsville native, Judge Speedlin Gonzalez is a proud product of the Valley’s public school system, later attending Vermont College, and finally leading her educational journey to St. Mary’s with a degree in Political Science in 1987, and graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2001. Her academic achievements and years of determined, purposeful work, all led to where she is at today. In 2018, we know Judge Rosie won the seat on the bench and has created policy changes for the betterment of our community, such as giving people a second chance, allowing them to reflect on their actions, and become better citizens.
So, what is the driving force behind this fierce woman? Where does this passion stem from? “It’s always been a matter of helping those who have less…Protecting those who can’t protect themselves,” Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalz refers to the most vulnerable population. She is speaking of the young, the adolescent, the children, the most malleable and in need of protection. With her many years of experience working as a child abuse investigator, a probation officer, a long-term substitute teacher, a gang counselor, and in her private practice, our Reina on the Rise attributes her position at Child Protective Services in her early 20s for her enduring commitment to children. Not only committed to community programs, Judge Rosie Speelin Gonzales is also committed to wife, Dr. Stacy Speedlin Gonzalez, who is on the Rise in her own right. This Powerhouse couple work together to create change, not just for us, but for the next generation, and the next.
For all the Reina’s out there, Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez offers these words to all the “Quetas of the world, the Shirley Gonzaleses of the world, the Maria Antonietta Berriozabals of the world, the Janie Barreras of the world…for lack of better words in our cultura, these are all Chingona women… [trailblazers and have broken glass ceilings]…Find out what you want to do. Define your goal, and go after it! What is it going to take to accomplish that goal?” In this same spirit, rise mujer. Rise and shine, and take heed of Judge Rosie’s mom’s words, “ *Con Dios y ganas, todo se puede.”
*Reflection
*With God and the will/desire, everything is possible.