Gloria Molina, Political Leader and Pioneer for Latina Women in California, Dies of Terminal Cancer
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Molina grew up in Pico Rivera and became the first Latina elected to the state Assembly, the Los Angeles City Council and the county Board of Supervisors
The trailblazer for Latina women in California, who served decades in elected offices including Los Angeles City Council member and county supervisor, has died at age 74 from terminal cancer she battled during the last three years.
In 1982, the pioneer of Latinas, Gloria Molina, was the first woman selected for the California Assembly, becoming a reference at the national level.
Molina died at her home in Mt. Washington, surrounded by family, according to her daughter Valentina Martinez.
Gloria Molina, a trailblazing Chicana activist and former elected official, passed away peacefully at her home in Mt. Washington, surrounded by her family and close friends. She was 74 years old.
— LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (@LAPlazaLA) May 15, 2023
More info: https://t.co/NWNHNOh2Y9 pic.twitter.com/AydUKtlCJb
“Gloria had been battling terminal cancer for the past three years. She faced this fight with the same courage and resilience with which she lived her life. Over the past few weeks, Gloria has been encouraged by the love and support of our family, community, friends, and colleagues. Gloria expressed her deep gratitude for the life she lived and the opportunity to serve our community,” Martinez said.
Gloria Molina was a longtime Democrat who served in the California State Assembly for five years in the 1980s, then won election to the Los Angeles City Council in 1986, representing a district that included East Los Angeles and parts of the San Fernando Valley. In 1990, Molina won a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and stayed on until 2014, eventually retiring after term limits were enacted.
The iconic Gloria Molina was:
— Barbara Lee (@BarbaraLeeForCA) May 15, 2023
The first Latina to serve in the California State Assembly.
The first Latina to serve on the LA City Council.
The first Latina to serve on the LA County Board of Supervisors.
Rest in power, barrier breaker. You will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/Jma9ri3j7R
She made history in several of those roles, becoming the first Latina to serve on the Los Angeles City Council and later on the Board of Supervisors.
Molina was born in Montebello on May 31, 1948, the daughter of a Mexican mother and a Mexican-American father. She grew up in Pico-Rivera as the oldest of 10 children.
During the 1970s, she became involved in the Chicano political movement, especially advocating for women's health. She would serve two years in President Jimmy Carter's White House, as a deputy on the presidential staff.
Last March, Molina announced that he had cancer, which he said he had lived with for three years, is “very aggressive. “At the time, she also said that he wants people to know that he is not sad, but that she feels lucky to have lived a long”, fulfilling and beautiful life.”
“I am truly grateful for everyone in my life and proud of my family, career, my people, and the work we did on behalf of our community,” Molina wrote in the post.
Now, after her departure, her daughter also dedicated some farewell words, where she said: “We will miss seeing Gloria the artist, seeing her imagine and create beautiful quilts that tell the story of our Mexican roots, and Gloria the teacher, who shares her passion with others so that they too can express themselves through this art”.