Meet Jacqueline Gomez-aragon

We recently connected with Jacqueline Gomez-aragon and have shared our conversation below.

Jacqueline, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

As a young girl growing up in Northern New Mexico, I was surrounded by a spirit of giving. I spent a lot of time outdoors with my parents and grandparents. Every summer, my maternal grandpa and paternal grandma would harvest fruits and vegetables, the fruits of their summer labor. It was a tradition to sit around el portal, the porch, and tie red chile ristras or peel green chile. After everything was put away, everyone left with bags of fruits and vegetables. My grandparents gave selflessly to friends, family, and even strangers. What the land provided for them and their family was shared with the entire neighborhood. My grandpa Eddie served in the military, and literally cooked for an army. Everyone would gather around the kitchen table for his delicious meals, and everyone left with a full stomach.

What I did not realize at the time was that I was learning by example. If your neighbor is hungry, you share food. If your neighbor needs help, you lend a hand. It is who we are and what we do. Everyone has a responsibility, even children. As I entered high school, I joined service organizations such as Key Club, Student Senate, and Honor Society. These clubs fueled my compassion of service. Volunteering at soup kitchens and helping at elementary schools or senior citizen communities gave me a sense of pride and purpose. I found my purpose much sooner than others, and knew that I wanted to become an elementary teacher. If I could help pass on the lessons of empathy and service that I learned from my parents, grandparents, and teachers, then I could continue to make a difference for generations to come.

More recently, I became actively involved with a local non-profit, the Animal Welfare Coalition of Northeastern New Mexico. I was drawn to the organizations mission of being a voice for the abused and neglected animals in our community. One thing that I observed quickly is that most community members want to take care of their pets. Sometimes factors such as household income and lack of access to resources prevent them from helping their pets. I began securing resources and funding to bring free/low cost spay neuter services and free pet food to our community. Access to these services and veterinary care prevents overpopulation and abuse/neglect. This was not a new concept, but sometimes the leaders and doers need help. When others are tired or feeling discouraged, sometimes it takes a friend to step in and remind you that you are not alone.

It can be easy to become hardened and selfish in this sometimes cruel world. However, what has kept me from giving up is knowing that there are others out there who want to help. You are never alone. I continue to work to set examples for my daughter, my nieces and nephews, and my students, just like my parents and grandparents did for me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am currently an elementary librarian in Las Vegas, New Mexico. I have taught elementary education for 15 years, and more recently served as a librarian for 3 years. There is something about sharing a new story with a child that is very rewarding. When they laugh, cry, or beg you not to stop reading, that is what purpose is defined as! I recently finished writing my first children’s book about the burning of Zozobra, and it is scheduled to be released in 2025. After I told my students that I always wanted to publish a book, they encouraged me to finally go for it, and it is really happening!

I am also the board president of the Animal Welfare Coalition of Northeastern, NM. I coordinate free/low-cost spay neuter clinics for my community. I also coordinate pet food distributions and humane education programming for elementary students.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

If I had to describe three qualities that have contributed to my work, they would be empathy, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Always remember that your smile might be the only one that someone else sees that day. Everyone is fighting a battle, and regardless of how they react, try to show empathy.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents raised my sisters and I with an incredible work ethic and sense of responsibility. They instilled the importance of literacy and education in all of us, and we are now all teachers and professors.