In the past several weeks, much has been written about Gloria Molina, who passed away this year on May14. She was a trailblazer, opening the doors for Latinas in Los Angeles County as the first Latina on the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and the first Latina to win a seat on the California State Assembly. More information about her life can be found here: Timeline: Life and Times of trail-blazing L.A. lawmaker Gloria Molina.

I will always remember her fierceness and courage as a public servant, her laser focus on accomplishing her goals whether as a Councilmember, Assemblymember, or County Supervisor, and her artistry as a master quilter who spent joyful hours with her longtime friends quilting, creating, and enjoying their special company. Gloria Molina was a great example for all of us: a tough-as-nails, caring and committed individual who was determined to do the right thing for our communities, whether other government officials agreed with her or not.

I knew Gloria differently from her family, peers, subordinates, or community supporters. I was one of the many individuals who—through happenstance and the community work I did for East Los Angeles College (ELAC)—benefited from her support and request for my skills as she needed them. As an alumna of East Los Angeles College, Gloria always kept in touch with the college administration to give and get support as needed.

On December 1, 1991, Gloria became County Supervisor for District 1, which included ELAC and the community of East Los Angeles. In November 2009, I was asked to help with the celebration of the grand opening of the Metro Gold Line’s Eastside Extension, one of Gloria’s major projects. Since I had worked with her administrative staff on several occasions, they called me to help secure the entertainment. With the help of David Reyes, a good friend, I was able to provide wonderful live entertainment featuring four acts of Chicano Rock, including the Latin Rock sensation Tierra and the New Music artist, CAVA.

Also in 2009, I had the privilege of being appointed by County Supervisor Molina to the Los Angeles County Board of Education. I served on the Board for two years, and I took this important assignment seriously, knowing that Gloria valued the children and youth served by the County Board, as I did, and that she would always be ready to scrutinize the actions I took and decisions I made as one of her representatives. That was her way—give no quarter when she perceived a need for intervention.

She leaves behind a great legacy that will live on through the work she did to ensure that our rich cultural heritage is celebrated and appreciated at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. According to Wikipedia, she was “one of the project’s earliest supporters and, by all accounts, the person most responsible for bringing it to fruition.”

On September 22, 2023, I had the honor of attending the East Los Angeles College unveiling of the Gloria Molina Exhibition Room at the Vincent Price Art Museum. The exhibition memorializes an accomplished politician and activist who contributed so much to the Los Angeles community. Through her efforts, life on the Eastside was made richer and the vibrancy of the Latino community was showcased. I will miss her.

—Maria Elena Yepes, Professor Emerita of English, East Los Angeles College