Pioneering Los Angeles politician Gloria Molina has announced that she has terminal cancer.
“I’ve lived a long, fulfilling and beautiful life,” Molina, 74, said in a statement posted on Facebook Tuesday. It said she has been battling terminal cancer for the past three years.
“While I’ve been getting treatment, at this point, it is very aggressive,” the statement said. “You should know that I’m not sad. I enter this transition in life feeling so fortunate.”
Molina was born in 1948. She grew up in Pico Rivera as one of 10 children of a Mexican mother and Mexican American father.
Molina’s career was one of firsts: She was the first Latina elected to the California State Assembly in 1982. In 1987, Molina became the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles City Council. In 1991, she made history again as the first Latina elected to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Representing the First District, which stretches from Los Angeles into the San Gabriel Valley, Molina served on the board for 23 years.
“I have an amazing and caring family, wonderful friends, and worked with committed colleagues and a loyal team,” Molina said in her statement.
“I have a great daughter, son-in-law, a precious grandchild and another one on the way. I’m so excited!” she said, adding, “I am fortunate to have this time to spend with family, friends and those who are special to me.”
What questions do you have about immigration and emerging communities in LA?
Read the full article here
