Sandra Sepulveda

Making Nashville Work for All District 30 Nashville City Councilmember – Sandra Sepulveda

By Patricia M. Hammock, M.Ed./AET

History-making City Councilmember, 26-year old Sandra Sepulveda is the first Hispanic elected to the Nashville City Council. Before deciding to run, while working on the campaigns of others or in the policy arena, Ms. Sepulveda thought her role in politics would be behind the scenes. She may have seen a kitten when she looked in the mirror, but others saw the tiger within. Sandra said she had been encouraged to take a more active role in politics previously, but dismissed the suggestion. “I never thought I would run for office. It was not on my radar. It was not something that I ever planned for, but I grew up in the district and I could not sit back and allow my community to remain voiceless.”

Councilmember Sepulveda represents District 30, encompassing Harding Place, Nolensville Road, and Tusculum Road to I-24. District 30 is home to Metropolitan Nashville’s largest Latino population, which is a diverse, working-class community. Sepulveda advises that nearly 30% of her constituents live below the poverty line. “I grew up in the district from the age of 5. I attended Metro Public Schools where we had to share textbooks because there were not enough to go around. That’s why I support making sure our teachers have the resources they need to help every student be successful.”

Ms. Sepulveda said she ran for city council because she had been looking at her surroundings and was keenly aware that her community did not have the resources other areas of Nashville enjoyed. “I was tired of seeing the same thing continuing and no one was listening to the plight of my community. I could not justify what I was seeing, so I decided to run.” Her platform seeks to “make sure Metropolitan Nashville works for everyone, not just downtown or big business. I want all Nashvillians to have a better quality of life.”

Ms. Sepulveda holds both history and political science degrees; and works toward increased funding for neighborhood schools, better working conditions, and ensuring that they receive all compensation to which they are entitled. “I want my constituents to know that I am there for them and that I hear them. I want them to know that my service on the City Council seeks what is best for them and not what is best for big business.”

The Councilmember Sepulveda was incredibly humble when asked what she thought her historic victory meant to her parents, who immigrated from Mexico while still in their teens. “Even though they were only able to attain an elementary school education, my parents have made great sacrifices to give our family a better life, “I think they are very proud. I have always tried to make my parents proud of me, to live up to their expectations and to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain.”

As questions regarding her youthfulness and lack of experience were bantered about during the campaign, Ms. Sepulveda had to remain grounded and steadfast in her purpose. “As a 26-year-old woman of color, I faced a lot of doubt.” Despite the opposition regarding her fitness for candidacy, the youthful, political powerhouse won her district with nearly 61% of the vote because she was sincere in her approach and her constituents trusted her. She said, “I was able to really connect with people.”

The Operations Director for the Tennessee Democratic Party said being on the city council is a great responsibility. “There have been times when I have felt overwhelmed. You are making decisions which affect people every day, so you have to do a lot of research and talk with your constituents. It is a lot for anyone to handle.”

The advice she would give other diverse members of the community who seek to follow in her footsteps, “Do it! Get yourself a good team; have a sounding board and understand that there will be days when your body gives out and becomes tired, but it is in those times that you must remember why you did it in the first place and who you are doing it for.”

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