Meet Ana Victoria, The 25-Year-Old Making History as Mexico’s First Lawyer With Down Syndrome

With the right support and opportunities, Ana Victoria pursued her dream of becoming a lawyer, achieving which many thought was impossible. Scroll down to read her full story!

Ana Victoria Espino de Santiago, hailing from Zacatecas, Mexico, has made history as the first person with Down syndrome to earn a law degree. At 25, she graduated from Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas in July 2024. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her education, Ana was supported by a devoted professor who recognised her potential and guided her to overcome them. She is among the rare individuals with down syndrome globally to achieve a college degree.

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Born on January 30, 1999, Ana Victoria is the daughter of Maristol de Santiago Ochoa and Jesus Espino Zapata. To avoid discrimination, she completed her high school online and was later admitted to Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas to study law. At the university, And faced an education system that was initially unprepared for her specific needs. Nevertheless, her determination, along with the invaluable support of her professor, whom she addresses as ‘shadow teacher,’ enabled her to navigate the challenges of her legal studies.

Meet Ana Victoria, The World’s First Lawyer With Down Syndrome

Ana’s accomplishments go well beyond academics. Prior to earning her law degree, she engaged in various legislative forums where she shared her personal story and advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. These experiences not only deepened her understanding of the legal field but also paved the way for future opportunities.

Since 2014, Ana has also been active in the arts, holding several painting exhibitions. Her work has been displayed at esteemed venues, including the lobby of the Congress of the Union in Mexico City, where she showcased her collection titled “Desde mi cielo.”

After achieving this esteemed degree, Ana has now set a new standard for differently-abled students and challenged existing stereotypes about her condition. The soon-to-be lawyer plans to fight discrimination and advocate for equality. She has started to receive job offers from abroad, highlighting the global recognition of her capabilities and dedication.