Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) congratulated Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina (1st District) for being honored with the El Angel Award by the California Latino Caucus Institute (CLCI) at their 2008 El Angel Awards Gala held at the Petersen Auto Museum.
In her remarks, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said the supervisor is “a role model for many women from all walks of life … A leader who on her journey of service has been committed to empowering Latinas.” The congresswoman continued, “I stand here tonight as an example of her commitment … Gloria proved that women were not only willing and ready to lead but had the ability, the talent and the courage to create positive change even in the face of adversity …”
Accustomed to hard work since childhood, Supervisor Molina became politically active as a young woman during the civil rights and feminist movements of the 1960s and 70s. She worked as a campaign manager for various aspiring elected officials—many of them women. During the 1970s, she served as a staff member for both California State Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and Assemblyman Art Torres before taking a position within the Carter White House and, eventually, the San Francisco Department of Health and Human Services. In 1982, Molina became the first Latina elected to the California State Assembly. In 1987, she became the first Latina to serve on the Los Angeles City Council. Four years later, Molina became the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Other CLCI honorees at the event included Robert L. Nardelli, CEO of Chrysler, and Denny Samuel, Chief Advocate for the Chevron Corporation. Mr. Samuel was the recipient of the CLCI Torch Award, which the congresswoman’s father, the late Honorable Edward R. Roybal, received posthumously in 2006. Pictured in the photo from left to right: California Latino Caucus Institute Chair and California State Senator Richard Polanco (ret.); Supervisor Gloria Molina; and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.
Established as a nonpartisan effort in 2002 by the California Latino Legislative Caucus, the California Latino Caucus Institute is a broad-based public policy, educational, and leadership development organization. As a public policy change agent, the Institute supports innovative leadership programs to enhance the quality of life for Californians.
-- ### --
