![]() It stretches from The Music Center to Los Angeles City Hall and has become a popular gathering place in recent years. The park was the brain child of Supervisor Molina and was a joint venture with the city and the county. The Board of Supervisors earlier this year renamed Grand Park in honor of Molina, which is now called Gloria Molina Grand Park. “… She was the first one to call when she heard that we needed help, the first to volunteer to organize a family celebration, and the first one to tell us what we needed to hear to get back on our feet.” ![]() “We will miss watching 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,” Martinez added. Martinez described her mother as “the strong and selfless matriarch of our family.” ![]() ![]() Her record included support for public health, jobs, education, parks and recreation, and the arts. Molina fought the city of Whittier’s plan to drill for oil in a portion of the Whittier Hills purchased with taxpayer monies from state Measure Proposition A, and fought to keep the land preserved in perpetuity as open space and for wildlife. As a member of the LA Metro board, Molina successfully pushed for the extension of the Gold Line (now L Line) light rail into East Los Angeles. She served as a county supervisor for 23 years, from 1991 to 2014, and is known for working toward improving the county’s foster care system, foster youth graduation rates, and the county’s Department of Family and Children Services. Molina grew up in Pico Rivera and attended El Rancho High School, East Los Angeles College and Cal State L.A.Īs a county supervisor she served the First District, representing Pico-Union, East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Molina’s parents, Leonardo and Concepcíon Molina, immigrated to the L.A. “She made a significant impact on Los Angeles, the state, county and the nation over her 32-year career in elected office.” In 2014, Molina retired from the Board of Supervisors due to term limits, ending a 32-year career in public service for the City of Angels.Īn obituary was issued by LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, which described Molina as “a champion for social justice,” who “dedicated her life to public service, fighting tirelessly for those who were underrepresented.” In 1982, Molina was the first Latina elected to the California state Assembly in 1987, she was the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1991, she was the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Molina’s record of political “firsts” was truly remarkable. “In lieu of flowers,” according to the obituary, “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.” 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. “We are so proud that Gloria will be remembered in history for the impact she made on Los Angeles, the state, and country as a Chicana activist, State Assemblymember, Los Angeles City Councilmember, and Los Angeles County Supervisor,” Martinez said. Related - Timeline: Life and times of trail-blazing L.A. Washington, surrounded by her loved ones, according to her daughter, Valentina Martinez, who spoke on behalf of the family. Molina, 74, passed away at her home in Mt. Pioneering Southern California leader Gloria Molina has died, according to her family members, who issued a statement Sunday evening, May 14.
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