06/08/2023 12:18:32 PMBeing the only woman Pueblo governor presents unique challenges, and Pueblo of Pojoaque Gov. Jenelle Roybal meets those head on. “You have to stand even stronger and taller because you’re a female,” Roybal said. When one tribal official told her women should be in the kitchen and raising kids, she replied, “You know what? I’m a cook in the kitchen, I raise my kids, I have two degrees and I’m a tribal official. So you really underestimate us, because I can do all that and then some.” This is Roybal’s eighth year as a tribal official. She has worked for the Pueblo since she was 15 years old, with only a brief stint of employment for the State of New Mexico. She has served as the Pueblo’s Director of Human Resources and before that as Assistant Director for the Education Department for five years. She was elected lieutenant governor in 2015, serving six years in that role. Shortly after her 2021 re-election, Gov. Joseph Talachy stepped down and she decided to run for governor. She is now serving her second term.Arin McKennaLois Edwards, Executive AssistantLEdwards@pojoaque.orgNorthern Alumni