GRAND MARSHAL Maria Espinal she/her, they/them
The choice of Grand Marshal communicates values, contribution, gratitude and the realities of the moment – and so it is with this year’s Grand Marshal, Maria Espinal.

Maria is a bisexual Latin activist whose work spans LGBTQIA+, immigrant, labor, and human rights. She lives in Catskill with her spouse Rebecca and is a proud mother and grandmother.

Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City in a conservative religious household, she had to carve her own path toward becoming a bold, self-confident queer Latina in a world that expected her to remain silent. At 17, she rejected those expectations and chose a different future.

Maria entered the finance world as a stockbroker trainee, often the only woman in rooms dominated by cisgender men. At age 39, she made a life-changing decision: she entered the trades through Nontraditional Employment for Women's apprenticeship program and became a union millwright, advocating daily for her right to belong.

As threats to vulnerable communities grew, Maria began volunteering with the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, where she now serves as a case manager, helping immigrants in Ulster County access resources to live with dignity and safety. Her work brings together all the causes she cares about: LGBTQIA+ rights, women's rights, workers' rights, and immigrant justice.

We recognize Maria for their work with the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network on behalf of immigrants, another population, like ours, targeted by this administration, and for our shared commitment to justice, dignity and protection for all communities.

"My hope is that we continue the work of ensuring this country lives up to that promise for all."