OnMilwaukee's The Future Is Female series features some of the most interesting, innovative and intelligent women in the city.Drea Rodriguez is moving Milwaukee forward and so we hit her up for a chat about peace, love and super powers.

1. What do you do professionally and how does this connect with who you are personally?

Drea Rodriguez: I'm an educator and community organizer. I'm also the executive director of the Peace Learning Center of Milwaukee. Milwaukee is home and as a first generation American that grew up on the North Side of the city, it hasn't always been the kindest place to women like me. Despite all of Milwaukee's flaws and imperfections, I've also met some of the most wonderful people here that are like a second family to me. All of the work I do is to make Milwaukee a stronger, more welcoming place, so the next generation has a better chance of fairness and opportunities. 

2. If you had a magic wand, what is one thing you would instantly change about Milwaukee?

I would invest in more community programming and make it mandatory for all MPD officers to live within the districts they serve. And not just within the city as a whole but be a part of the neighborhoods and actually rent or own a home there. And I don't want them there to be on guard 24/7, but to do some genuine relationship-building, which is not the same as handing out ice cream and then leaving for Greendale at the end of a shift. 

3. How do you fight the patriarchy in your own way?

My relationship with the patriarchy has evolved over the years. In my 20s and 30s, I cared too much of what men thought, constantly trying to out-debate them, and just exhausting myself in the process. Now that I'm older and raising a daughter, I put more value in capacity building with like-minded womyn. I belong to a Mujeres Líderes group, which means Women Leaders. We meet monthly to discuss politics, literature, current events, self-care or anything relevant to our lives. It's refreshing to be around strong-minded womyn and to hold our own space that's not defined by anyone else, but just Latinx womyn like us. What's even more powerful is that I can bring my daughter and she can be a part of it. 

4. If you made a soundtrack for your life, what would a few of the songs be?

So many! Number 1: Soy Yo, Bomba Esteréo; number 2: I am Woman, Emmy Meli; number 3, B.S., Jhené Aiko; number 4: Sabor a Mí, Eydie Gorme & Los Panchos (Also, Control, Janet Jackson, Bizchochito, Rosalía, Giving you the Best that I Got, Anita Baker. I could go on ...)

5. What is your secret (or not-so-secret) superpower?

I adapt well in almost any environment. As a scholarship kid that spent time in boarding school, I do well at a neighborhood BBQ or fancy gala, although I prefer the BBQ. I've lived in Beijing and camped on the Great Wall of China. I've traveled all over the West Coast in a van with my AmeriCorps*NCCC team. I was raised by two survivors that made the most of their lives although they were born with very little. Trust me, there's not an environment that I won't rise above and succeed in. That's ingrained in my DNA as a first-generation American, too.