Francia Márquez

Francia Márquez is a Colombian environmental activist and politician known for her work in defending the rights of marginalized communities, particularly Afro-Colombians. Born in 1981 in a rural area of Colombia, she gained international recognition for her efforts to combat environmental degradation and promote social justice. Márquez won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2018 for her leadership in organizing communities against illegal mining and land exploitation. In 2022, she made history as the first Black woman to serve as Vice President of Colombia, where she continues to advocate for human rights, environmental protection, and social equity.