By Eni Muça
For over a decade, Vera Mjeku has been a powerful voice for the Albanian-American community in the heart of one of the world’s largest cities – New York. Active in politics, public administration, and women’s mentorship, she has played a key role in transforming gender representation and promoting the agenda of “Women, Peace, and Security.” In this interview, Vera shares her journey, the challenges she has faced as an immigrant woman, the role of the diaspora, and her vision for the future.
You’ve built a long career in politics and in the New York City Council. How did your professional journey begin, and what inspired you to enter the field of public policy?
My multi-year career in politics and public service for the City of New York began with managing the election campaign for New York State Assemblyman and City Councilman Mark Gjonaj. It was an exciting journey and a professional challenge, working on an unconventional campaign for an Albanian-American candidate who created a unique model and left a mark on New York politics. After the successful conclusion of those campaigns, I served as Chief of Staff at the City Council and later as a Policy Analyst. Currently, I am the Director of Legal Programs for the City of New York.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an immigrant woman in political campaigns and the American political system?
In the United States, especially in New York, immigration is more than a status—it’s an essential component of governance platforms at every level, part of public and social policies, integration strategies, and an economic and cultural asset. The issue of integrating and representing women in politics is a global challenge, regardless of the system or location. Like in many parts of the world, politics in the U.S. is male-dominated, and women face stereotypes, higher societal expectations, barriers to political structures, and the fact that family responsibilities mostly fall on them.
Regardless of external factors, we each choose how to enter the profession we pursue. I’m originally from Tirana and have lived in New York for about 30 years. From the beginning, I wanted to do something different. I studied communication and public relations at New York University, a field that was relatively new even in the U.S. at the time. Before entering politics, I ran advertising campaigns for various clients and companies, including the Albanian-American community, such as the campaign “Albanian American Success Stories.” In the electoral and governance campaigns, I had the fortune to learn from and be mentored by a brilliant team of professionals: political consultants, communication experts, data analysts, and other field specialists.
You are active in collaborating with the Albanian diaspora. How do you see its potential to contribute to the development of Albania and Kosovo?
With most Albanians now living outside Albania and Kosovo, the diaspora is undoubtedly an extraordinary asset. However, its role remains fragmented. Beyond remittances and investments, the professional and intellectual potential of the diaspora has not been systematically integrated into government policies or programs to attract and motivate professionals to contribute to national development – a strategy successfully used by many other countries.
You mentor many young women in politics. What advice would you give to an Albanian girl who dreams of influencing society or politics?
I’m proud to have served for about three years as a mentor for “Women in Politics” at the local level in Kosovo, through the organization Germin and with support from the National Endowment for Democracy. Throughout this journey, I’ve met committed women and girls determined to embark on this challenging path. My advice to them is to be determined, prepared to enter a male-dominated world, to collaborate with one another, and to invest in their profession and personal growth. As Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress, once said: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Figuratively, the table represents the political or governance space dominated by men, and the folding chair symbolizes the determination to face that reality and achieve success.
Living and working in one of the most dynamic cities in the world, what change would you most like to see in the next generation of women leaders?
I’m proud to work for one of the largest local administrations in the world, with about 300,000 civil employees and a $112 billion budget, and one of the most progressive agendas. After much effort, in 2021 a revolution occurred in women’s representation at the local level, with 31 women elected to the City Council out of 51 possible seats. Most of these women now chair over 70% of committees or working groups. Their collaboration and coordination have made it possible to pass legislative packages and policies focused on gender issues, such as equal pay, healthcare services, education, family policies, and domestic violence protections. Although we are still a minority in politics, we must be more united. Every woman’s success should be an inspiration for others.
If you had the opportunity to bring one change to Albania through your experience in the U.S., what would it be?
Based on my experience, social sensitivity, civic activism, and commitment to causes are concepts that need further development in Albania. As President George Bush once said: “There’s no definition of a successful person that doesn’t include what they do for others.” In every society, we have a responsibility to contribute and be fully engaged—not just in the humanitarian sense of giving, but through participation in awareness causes, mentorship, and similar efforts.
How do you see yourself and your mission in the next five years?
I will continue to engage in mentoring women in politics, as well as advancing programs focused on gender equality and implementing the “Women, Peace, and Security” Agenda through participation in forums and various conferences. Among other efforts, I am also a contributor and co-drafter of Resolution 26 in the U.S. Congress for justice in the case of Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman, a survivor of wartime sexual violence in Kosovo. This resolution is supported by 16 members of Congress – both Democrats and Republicans – and we hope it will soon be presented to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
0 comments