Platica Y Poetics S3E7 w/ Gina Ortiz-Jones

In an intimate and layered conversation, Gina Ortiz Jones, a proud daughter of San Antonio’s

Westside and former Under Secretary of the Air Force, shared how her upbringing, military

service, and education have shaped her deep commitment to public service and social justice.

From formative years at John Jay High School and lessons learned from her mother—a

Harlandale High School teacher for 25 years and inspiration of grit and resilience—Jones shared

how education and civic responsibility were foundational to her leadership journey. Bringing a

rare blend of tactical expertise and economic foresight, she offered a poetic lens to tackle San

Antonio’s complex challenges. Transparency, equity, and inclusion as cornerstones of her

platform. Her call for poetic accountability imagines civic systems that are not only efficient but

people-powered, inclusive, and emotionally resonant. She shared her vision of a city that

embraces progressiveness without losing its cultural essence, stressing the importance of local

activism, reminding residents that meaningful change begins at home—and that San Antonio has

the potential to become a global model for inclusive and visionary governance. I felt inspired,

motivated, listening to her conviction, sharing like myself belonging to the LGBTQIA+ and

Catholic communities, that we exist and are daughters, and catalyst of progressive change in our

communities. Her bridge-building spirit seeks to overcome political polarization through

collaboration, equity, and a renewed civic imagination. At the heart of her campaign lies a simple

yet powerful belief: that everyone deserves to be seen no matter the aisle, heard, and empowered

to help write San Antonio’s next chapter.