LOS ANGELES (KNX) – Gloria Molina, who made history by becoming the first Latina to serve on the Los Angeles City Council, L.A. County Board of Supervisors, and in the State Assembly, passed away on Sunday at 74 years old.
Molina’s family said she passed away at her home in Mt. Washington following a battle with terminal cancer.
"She faced this fight with the same courage and resilience she lived her life,” the obituary read. “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."
On Mar. 14, Molina announced she had been receiving treatment for three years, but “at this point, it is very aggressive."
Molina was elected to the California Assembly in 1982 and then went on to serve on the L.A. City Council from 1987 to 1991. She then served on the county’s Board of Supervisors until 2014.
“Gloria was a champion for social justice and dedicated her life to public service, fighting tirelessly for the rights of those who were underrepresented and marginalized,” her family said. “Gloria will be remembered in history as the first Latina elected as California State Assemblymember, Los Angeles City Councilmember, and Los Angeles County Supervisor, making a significant impact on Los Angeles, the state, and the nation.”
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass called Molina “a force for unapologetic good and transformational change in LA.”
“As the first woman Mayor of Los Angeles, I know I stand on her shoulders,” she wrote. “On behalf of an ever grateful city, I express my deepest condolences to her family, friends and community.”
Supervisor Janice Hahn said Molina opened doors for women in politics in L.A. County.
“It takes courage to be the 1st woman in the room and Gloria was the 1st woman and 1st Latina in nearly every room she was in,” she wrote. “She didn’t just make space for herself-- she opened the door to the rest of us.”
Zev Yaroslavsky, who served with Molina on both the City Council and the Board of Supervisors, told LA Morning News Molina was a tough woman.
“She didn’t back down,” he said. “She wouldn’t have gotten to where she was if she wasn’t tough.”
Molina is survived by her husband, Ron Martinez, daughter Valentina Martinez, son-in-law Brandon, grandson Santiago, and her nine siblings, Gracie, Irma, Domingo, Bertha, Mario, Sergio, Danny, Olga, and Lisa.
Her family asked that instead of flowers, donations be made to Casa 0101 and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.
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