Jelynn dela Cruz: Youngest Women MLA in Manitoba History

Bayanihan, a Filipino word meaning "working together for the common good" is the value Jelyn deal Cruz works hard to embody in her leadership style. She is the youngest female MLA in Manitoba's history who swept in at the age of 23 with the NDP win last fall. She believes that in order to progress as a community, one needs to remain faithful to one's values and remember the community that raised one. She believes in bringing as many people along with her as she can.

Cruz looks up to former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as an example of an exemplary leader due to her empathetic, humble, decisive, and steadfast leadership.

In her first face-to-face event with her Radisson constituents at Kildonan Place, she was inspired by the conversations concerning issues about health care. She encourages community members to participate in the Radisson Community Task Force. It is a non-partisan body of volunteers who will help their MLA drive engagement and local consultation and ensure that everyone in the province has equal access to health services.

Cruz's impetus to enter politics came as a result of political decisions that had a negative effect on her family. Her mom, who was a nurse at Concordia Hospital for 17 years, was among the many thousands of health care workers affected by the PC government and Premier Brian Pallister's health care reforms in 2017. Her father's position as a caretaker at the Winnipeg School Division was threatened by policies of the same government several years later.

In her young life, she has been involved in several organizations working to make things better for people. She was President of the Student Council at the University of Manitoba advocating for many improvements for the student body. Just before the election, she worked at L'Arche, an outstanding organization that creates community for the disabled.

Being one of Manitoba's youngest members of the legislative body comes with several challenges, including defining oneself as a leader. Jelynn believes one does not have to be constrained or limited by societal expectations, norms, or stereotypes and encourages youth to take advantage of different avenues to become more empowered.