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BOYLE HEIGHTS — A mural unveiling, an artwork exhibit opening and the premiere of a tribute play had been a part of Gloria Molina Day Aug. 29, honoring the late L.A. County supervisor, Metropolis Council and Meeting member who was the primary Latina to serve on every of these our bodies.
The occasions happened on the 54th anniversary of the historic East L.A. Chicano Moratorium anti-Vietnam Struggle march, which drew some 30,000 demonstrators and laid the groundwork for Molina’s trailblazing profession in public service.
Molina died of most cancers on Might 14, 2023, at 74, abandoning a protracted line of “firsts” — and an extended line of Latino leaders impressed by her instance.
The occasion had been held in the future after the Metropolis Council formally proclaimed Aug. 29 as Gloria Molina Day within the metropolis.
Council members Kevin de León and Monica Rodriguez led the Metropolis Corridor presentation that additionally featured a number of Molina relations.
The council members had initially launched a decision on Aug. 8 to mark the day in Molina’s honor.
“We collect on the eve of a day wherein we are going to honor the reminiscence and the legacy of a real trailblazer right here in Los Angeles — that’s no apart from our very personal Gloria Molina,” de León mentioned.
This date holds profound significance, marking the anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium — the pivotal second that ignited Gloria’s journey as an activist, a devoted public official and a nationwide determine within the battle for fairness and justice,” he added.
Rodriguez mentioned it was a “tragic loss for our metropolis” when Molina died. She described Molina as a “trailblazer” who opened alternatives for individuals in lots of communities to be seen and acknowledged.
“It was by means of her instance and management that there have been subsequently alternatives afforded to different Latinas to serve in legislative our bodies, not simply in Los Angeles, not simply in California, however throughout the nation,” Rodriguez mentioned.
Mayor Karen Bass, together with de León, Rodriguez and quite a few different dignitaries, attended the dedication of a mural honoring Molina that was commissioned to artist Margaret Garcia.
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis and labor chief/civil rights activist Dolores Huerta additionally had been amongst these attending the dedication, which was adopted by a reception on the close by Casa 0101 Theater that additionally featured a brand new artwork exhibit titled “Gloria Molina: Madrina of the Eastside.”
Following the reception was the premiere of playwright Josefina López’s “A Girl Named Gloria” within the Gloria Molina Auditorium.
Molina, who grew up in Pico Rivera, was energetic within the early days of the Chicano motion, changing into an advocate for girls’s well being points — which she continued into her time in elected workplace. She additionally based a nurse mentoring program by means of local people faculties to handle a nurse scarcity on the time.
She first gained elective workplace in 1982, capturing the 56th Meeting District seat and finally main a battle to quash a proposed jail in East L.A.
Molina gained the Metropolis Council’s First District seat in 1987, and was elected to the Board of Supervisors from the county’s First District in 1991.
She served as a supervisor by means of 2014, changing into often known as a pointy fiscal watchdog earlier than being termed out. Her district encompassed Koreatown, Pico-Union, East Los Angeles and elements of the San Gabriel Valley.
Molina was additionally the primary lady elected to the Board of Supervisors — as soon as often known as the “5 Little Kings” — although Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, who was appointed to fill a emptiness, was the primary lady to serve on the board.
Previous to her elected positions, Molina labored as a deputy for presidential personnel within the Jimmy Carter White Home.
In recognition of Molina’s management, the Board of Supervisors in 2023 renamed Grand Park — a mission Molina additionally championed — in her honor. It’s now referred to as Gloria Molina Grand Park.
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