Gloria Molina made history in 1985, when she became the first Latina County Supervisor in the United States. Molina, who was born in Los Angeles in 1953, was the first woman in her family to graduate from college, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles. After college, she worked as a field representative for Assemblyman Art Torres, which provided her with an understanding of the legislative process and how to effectively advocate for her community.
In 1982, Molina ran for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and won, becoming the first Latina to be elected to the board. She was re-elected in 1986, 1992 and 1998, serving a total of 18 years on the board. During her tenure, she championed issues related to health care, the environment, and public safety and was a strong advocate for affordable housing. She also secured federal funding to expand the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and created the first gang intervention program in Los Angeles County.
Molina’s accomplishments have earned her numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business Magazine and one of the “100 Most Influential Women” by the Los Angeles Times. In 1994, she was inducted into the California Hall of Fame and in 2012, she received an honorary degree from California State University, Los Angeles.
Gloria Molina’s election to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors was a groundbreaking moment in US history. She was a pioneer, paving the way for future Latina leaders, and her accomplishments and commitment to her community have had a lasting impact on Los Angeles.
