LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Gloria Molina, who served Southern California for decades in elected positions including Los Angeles City Council member and county supervisor, has died at age 74, her family announced Sunday.
Molina had been battling terminal cancer for the past three years and died at his home in Mt. Washington surrounded by family, her daughter said.
“She faced this fight with the same courage and resilience that she lived her life,” her daughter, Valentina Martinez, wrote in a family statement “During the past few weeks, Gloria was buoyed by the love and support of our family, community, friends and colleagues. Gloria expressed deep gratitude for the life she lived and the opportunity to serve our community “.
The longtime Democrat 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 of Los Angeles and parts of the San Fernando Valley. In 1990, Molina won a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and served until 2014, eventually retiring after term limits were enacted.
She made history in several of these positions, becoming the first Latina to serve on the LA City Council and then the Board of Supervisors.
Molina was born in Montebello on May 31, 1948, to a Mexican mother and a Mexican-American father. She grew up in Pico-Rivera as the eldest of 10 children.
During the 1970s, she became involved in the Chicano political movement, particularly advocating for women’s health. She would serve two years in President Jimmy Carter’s White House as a deputy on the presidential staff.
As supervisor, Molina led efforts to eliminate many perks for county bureaucrats, advocated for safer communities and championed open space.
He led the project to establish Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. Last month, shortly after acknowledging that his cancer had become “very aggressive,” the 12-acre park was renamed in his honor.
“It takes courage to be the first woman in the room and Gloria was the first woman and the first Latina in almost every room she was in,” County Supervisor Janice Hahn tweeted. “Not only did she make room for herself, but she opened the door for the rest of us. Women in politics in LA County owe Gloria Molina a debt of gratitude.”
Supervisor Hilda Solis wrote, “It breaks my heart to lose a champion for Latinos, for women and for the Eastside. Although she is no longer physically with us, we will forever feel her impact. My prayers are with his loved ones during this time. heartbreaking time. May his soul rest in peace.”
