Monet Bacs is a Strategic Director for The LIBRE Initiative and her passion for policy, freedom, and opportunity is deeply personal, rooted in the remarkable journey of her father, who left Guatemala in pursuit of a better life for his future family.
Monet’s father arrived in the U.S. as a foreign exchange student, not speaking English and unfamiliar with his new surroundings. He played soccer, ran track, and adjusted to life in Aurora, Illinois, a world away from the mango and guava trees of his childhood. At one point, his scholarship ran out and he faced a life-changing decision: return home or stay and face homelessness. He chose to stay. “I would rather be homeless in America than go back,” he told his daughter, a phrase that shaped Monet’s outlook on opportunity, resilience, and freedom.
His perspective came from life lessons passed down from Monet’s grandfather, who once traveled to Cuba as a professional soccer coach. A simple act of charity, giving change to a homeless man, was met with a chilling threat from Cuban authorities. That moment ingrained a lasting message in the family: “If you see communism coming, fight or flee.” These generational experiences instilled a commitment to liberty that Monet carries today.
Monet’s commitment deepened after witnessing her father’s battle with COVID-19 and the harsh realities of America’s healthcare system. The heartbreak of limited access and overwhelmed hospitals exposed how policy failures impact real lives. “It wasn’t just my dad, it was everyone,” she said. That experience propelled her into advocacy, determined to improve healthcare access through smart, people-centered policy.
Through the LIBRE Initiative, Monet works to empower the Hispanic community on key issues like the economy, immigration, and healthcare. A recent win? Helping pass Arizona’s “tamale bill,” legalizing home-based sales of perishable foods, a major victory for entrepreneurial women and elderly individuals supporting their families.
She also helps lead English language classes through the LIBRE Institute, inspired by her father’s struggles as a non-English speaker. “Being able to help someone overcome that barrier, it’s personal,” she said.
Though her father passed away before she joined LIBRE, Monet is confident he’d be proud. “Every day I get to live out his legacy,” she said. It’s a powerful reminder that behind every policy discussion is a family, a sacrifice, and a dream still in progress.
