![]() She served one term, working on committees that focused on revenue and taxation, labor and employment, utilities and commerce. Then, in 1982, Molina shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first Latina to be elected to the California state Legislature. Over the next several years, she would go on to work in President Jimmy Carter’s administration as a deputy for presidential personnel and for state Assembly Speaker Willie Brown Jr. ![]() In 1976, Molina began working as an administrative assistant for state Assemblymember Art Torres. Molina was active in Southern California’s Chicano movement, serving as a member of the Comisión Femenil Mexicana Nacional de Los Angeles, and helping to establish the Chicana Action Service Center, which advocated for the rights of Chicanas. She graduated from El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera and attended Rio Hondo College, East L.A. Molina was one of 10 children and grew up mainly in Pico Rivera in southeastern L.A. Her parents, Leonard and Concepción Molina, immigrated to the L.A. Named for her paternal grandmother, the civic and political leader was born Jesús Gloria Molina on May 31, 1948, in Montebello. Related - Timeline: Life and times of trail-blazing L.A. “We are so proud that Gloria will be remembered in history for the impact she made on Los Angeles, the state, and country as a Chicana activist, State Assemblymember, Los Angeles City Councilmember, and Los Angeles County Supervisor,” daughter Valentina Martinez, speaking on behalf of the family, said in a statement. Washington, surrounded by loved ones.Ī public Celebration of Life will take place July 15 at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Mexican-American museum and cultural center in downtown L.A. Despite reaching such heights, those who knew her said Molina never forgot her roots and devoted her life to being a fierce advocate for the underserved.Īnd so news of her passing on Sunday, May 14, following a three-year bout with cancer, was met with an outpouring of words of admiration from politicos and civic leaders throughout L.A. County Board of Supervisors, needless to say Gloria Molina inspired legions of women, particularly Latinas, to demand a seat at the table and to hold leadership roles.Īnd with a political career that spanned more than three decades, Molina’s influence was felt at all levels of government – local, state and national. Continued abuse of our services will cause your IP address to be blocked indefinitely.As the first Latina elected to the California state Assembly, Los Angeles City Council and L.A. Please fill out the CAPTCHA below and then click the button to indicate that you agree to these terms. If you wish to be unblocked, you must agree that you will take immediate steps to rectify this issue. If you do not understand what is causing this behavior, please contact us here. If you promise to stop (by clicking the Agree button below), we'll unblock your connection for now, but we will immediately re-block it if we detect additional bad behavior.
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