‘A great nose for the truth’
Re “A Latina trailblazer who’s inspiring, unapologetic,” column, March 15
I had been the chief executive of L.A. Care Health Plan for about 10 years when then-L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina was appointed to our board. “You’re in for it now,” I heard, as she had a reputation for tearing into people with criticism.
My experience was just the opposite. The supervisor challenged us with great and relevant questions in an attempt to make sure that L.A. residents were receiving quality care. If she thought anyone was being less than candid, she did go after them with a vengeance, but all in pursuit of protecting Angelenos.
Molina is more than a trailblazer — she has always had a great nose for the truth. She will be missed.
Howard Kahn
Altadena
Missing in Gustavo Arellano’s column is how Molina shaped California politics statewide.
As pundits capitulate to the San Francisco Bay Area as the power center of California politics, Molina’s role cannot be understated. She was the first Latina elected to the state Legislature, and three years later she became the sole Latina co-founder of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.
Elevating Molina’s impact in the world’s fourthlargest economy is easy. Today, Latinas represent almost half of the Women’s Caucus members. Latina legislators represent 60% of the Latino Legislative Caucus’ members and have held the chair position since 2018.
My only question is what today’s Democratic Party would look like if we had sent Molina to the U.S. Senate in 1992. There would be a lot more chigonas!
Sonja Diaz Los Angeles
The writer is founding executive director of the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute.
I am heartbroken by Molina’s terminal cancer diagnosis. A brilliant and courageous fighter, she opened the door for all Latinas.
Molina first ran for state Assembly when Latino and Sacramento politics was dominated by machismo. It was not easy at that time for a Latina to promote herself. Molina paved the way and promoted other women, as she became the first Latina in the Assembly, on the L.A. City Council and on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
Molina never let us down or embarrassed us. She knew what her role as being the first at something meant. She fought for her community and helped other women and Latinas run for office.
As a county supervisor, Molina understood the role she played in the lives of more than 100,000 residents of unincorporated East Los Angeles. She always was there for us.
Thank you, Gloria. Clara Solis
Los Angeles