Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, an innovative Latin politician who also served in Sacramento and on the city council, has announced that she has terminal cancer.
Molina, 74, said in a Facebook post who has been in treatment for three years and describes the cancer as very aggressive. The former state assemblyman and former Los Angeles councilwoman addressed the message to “dear friends and dear community.”
“I lived a long, fulfilling and beautiful life,” Molina said. “Debes saber que no estoy triste. Entro en esta transición de la vida sintiéndome muy afortunada. Tengo una familia increíble y cariñosa, amigos maravillosos y trabajé con colegas compromises y un equipo leal. A lo largo de mi vida he tenido la apoyo de mucha people”.
Today, January 31, a groundbreaking event in Los Angeles history was commemorated, where thousands of Chicanos took to the streets to express their anger over discrimination and lack of rights.
Molina grew up in Pico Rivera and became the first Latina elected to the State Assembly, Los Angeles City Council, and County Board of Supervisors.
It was part of the early days of chicano movement, becoming an advocate for women’s health issues for which she continued to advocate in state and local political offices. Molina founded a nurse mentorship program through local community colleges to address the nursing shortage.
“I am truly grateful to everyone in my life and proud of my family, my career, my people and the work we have done on behalf of our community. I have a great daughter, a son-in-law, a precious grandson and another on the way. I’m so excited! I am very grateful to the doctors, nurses and health care professionals at City of Hope. They took very good care of me.”
“Above all, I’m lucky to have this time to spend with my family, friends and loved ones. Thank you all for your love and support.”
He closed the message with a heart emoji. The post received hundreds of supportive comments.
She was first elected to public office in 1982, when she won the 56th Assembly District seat. He led a fight to take down a prison project in East Los Angeles.
During multiple events, protesters continued the fight for the rights of the Mexican American community.
Molina won the seat of the first district city council in 1987.
She was elected to the county’s First District Board of Supervisors in 1991, becoming the first woman elected to the board. The body was once known as the “Five Little Kings”. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, who was appointed to fill a vacant position, was the first woman to serve on the board.
Known as a strong tax watchdog, Molina served as supervisor until 2014, forced to step down by term limits enacted in 2002.
71-year-old Margaret Garcia captures her history and culture as a Chicana in her paintings. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, this artist shares what motivates her to reflect on life in Los Angeles with “an authentic voice”. Reporting by Carmen Marquez.
Molina also worked as a presidential staff assistant in Jimmy Carter’s White House.
News of Molina’s illness prompted words of support from fellow politicians. Eunisses Hernandez, currently representing the Los Angeles City Council’s First District, issued a statement to City News Services.
“We stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before us and Molina supervisors are in a class of their own,” Hernandez said.
If you are a Chicano art lover, we have a new exhibit that just opened in the city of Los Angeles, California. on LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. The exhibit is titled: LA Memo: Chicana/o Art from 1972-1989, and celebrates the impact and influence of Chicano artists during the 1970s and 1980s. The collection features art from more than 30 artists , explores how they strove to examine aspects of popular culture and present alternative narratives about race, gender, sexuality and citizenship. Mexican artist Alfredo de Batuc talks to us about what it means to him to be part of this exhibition.
“She paved the way for women, and especially Latinas, in local government and we owe her a debt of gratitude for her decades of service to our city and county. I join all Angelenos in offering my prayers and support during this time.”
Supervisor Hilda Solis, who succeeded Molina as the county’s first district, called Molina a personal inspiration and a role model, and said she would make a motion at the next council meeting to rename Grand Park to the honor of Molina.
This story first appeared on Telemundo 52’s sister station NBCLA. Click on here to read this story in English.