Trailblazing Latina politician Gloria Molina dies at 74

PICO RIVERA — Activist-turned-politician Gloria Molina, the first Latina to serve on the Los Angeles City Council and the county's Board of Supervisors, as well as in the State Assembly, died Sunday, and political and religious leaders recalled her accomplishments Monday.

Molina was 74 years old.

Molina was first elected to office in 1982, winning the 56th Assembly District seat. She was elected to the L.A. City Council representing the First District in 1987. She was elected to the L.A. City Council representing the First District in 1987.

She was the first woman elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1991, but not the first woman to serve on the board. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke was appointed to the board to fill a vacancy in 1979.

In recognition of her leadership, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors earlier this year renamed Grand Park in honor of Molina, which is now called Gloria Molina Grand Park.

Molina served on the Board of Supervisors for 23 years, from 1991 to 2014, representing  a district that included Koreatown, Pico-Union, East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.

Molina's family was the first to issue a statement Sunday.

"It is with heavy hearts that our family announces Gloria's passing this evening," said Molina's daughter in a statement on the family's behalf. "She passed away at her home in Mt. Washington, surrounded by our family."

Molina had been battling terminal cancer for the past three years, according to the statement. "She faced this fight with the same courage and resilience she lived her life. Over the last few weeks, Gloria was uplifted 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 statement said that for the family, Molina will be "remembered in our hearts as our loving mom and grandmother, protective oldest sister, wise tía and loyal friend. We will miss celebrating with her on Christmas Eve, hosted at her home decked out in a new theme for the holidays and nourished with handmade tamales and a holiday feast with all the trimmings."

The statement described her as "the strong and selfless matriarch of our family."

Many leaders were quick to pay tribute to Molina.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass called Molina "a force for unapologetic good and transformational change in Los Angeles," who "advocated for those who did not have a voice in government through her pioneering environmental justice work, her role as a fiscal watchdog, and her advocacy for public health. She shaped Los Angeles in a lasting way while paving the way for future generations of leaders."

Cardinal Roger Mahony reflected on some of Molina's accomplishments, saying, "She was fearless in confronting institutional injustice such as the infamous Exide battery complex in East Los Angeles. She continued to point out that companies would readily build dangerous plants and factories in the poorest neighborhoods because they thought those communities lacked the political influence to object. Gloria Molina proved them wrong over her long political career which always focused on the most underserved members of our society."

Mahony added that Molina was influential in the ultimate location of the new cathedral.

"I am particularly grateful to her and her staff for advising me and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles that the large County parcel on Temple Street between Grand Avenue and Hill Street would be an ideal site for our new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.  Without her outreach to me and her continued work with our team from 1995 forward our new Cathedral would never have become a reality."

L.A. City Councilmember Tim McOsker said the date of Molina's passing was important. "It's deeply moving that on Mother's Day, the mother of the Los Angeles Latina political movement has passed ... Molina was not only a trailblazer, but she held the door open for other Latinas in government to walk through."

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued a statement saying, "It takes an enormous amount of courage to be the first woman in the room and Gloria was the first woman and first Latina in nearly every room she was in across her career. She didn't just make space for herself -- she opened the door to the rest of us. Women in politics, particularly in Los Angeles County, owe a great debt of gratitude to Gloria Molina."

The Weingart Foundation, a private grantmaking foundation that partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial justice, released a statement saying, "Today, we join all Angelenos in mourning the loss of a tremendous pioneering leader ... she not only opened doors for others to follow, she transformed lives."

The Committee for Greater LA, a cross-sectoral group of civic leaders working to advance system changes and dismantle institutional racism, also released statement from committee Chair Miguel A. Santana, who said they mourn "the loss of a trailblazer and community champion."

"No matter how challenging the path, Supervisor Molina never backed down from doing what was right and most impactful for the community. Time and again, she exemplified what it means to put community first."

The statement said she "fought for marginalized communities so that they could have their fair share of basic services after years of disinvestment and neglect."

An obituary was issued by LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, describing Molina as "a champion for social justice," who "dedicated her life to public service, fighting tirelessly for those who were underrepresented."

The obituary continued:

"Gloria will be remembered in history as the first Latina elected as California State Assemblymember, Los Angeles City Councilmember and Los Angeles County Supervisor. She made a significant impact on Los Angeles, the state, county and the nation over her 32-year career in elected office."

The statement added that Molina was committed to creating public spaces Angelenos throughout the county, including for families.

Molina, according to the obituary, is survived by her husband, Ron Martinez, daughter Valentina Martinez, son-in-law Brendan Curran, grandson Santiago, as well as nine siblings: Gracie, Irma, Domingo, Bertha, Mario, Sergio, Danny, Olga and Lisa.

"In lieu of flowers," according to the obit, "Gloria's family requests that donations be made to Casa 0101 and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in her memory to inspire and empower future generations through the arts."