Gloria Molina, a pioneering political leader who represented the people of Los Angeles, has passed away at the age of 74 after a battle against terminal cancer.

Molina was an important figure in politics, being the first Chicana elected to the State Assembly, the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She also served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Born into a Latino community in Los Angeles County, Molina prided herself on her Chicano identity and struggled with the pressures and challenges faced by Latinos in society. She became involved in community and political activities from an early age, working for Democratic politicians and playing an active role in Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign.

Molina valued female leadership and sought to be a leader for herself and other women. Throughout her career, she faced fear and intimidation, but overcame these challenges and achieved positions of power and influence.

According to NBC News, Molina stated that “One of our big goals was learning to become leaders. Not to become followers to the white women’s movement, and not to become followers to the Chicano movement. But to become leaders for ourselves, for other women. That was very important to us”.

In an oral history interview for the California State Archives State Government Oral History Program in 1990, Molina claimed victory.

“Every time I stepped up to one of these opportunities, the first thing that ran through me was fear, absolute fear”, she said of running for office. “And with that fear was the intimidation. ‘They are smarter than I am. They know more.’”

“I think one of our biggest challenges is to convince a lot of Latinos out there who are citizens and noncitizens that it is definitely a place and game that we need to be a part of”, Molina said.

Molina left a legacy and will be remembered as a dedicated advocate for the Latino community. Her death is a significant loss for Los Angeles, but her contribution to politics and the rights of Latinos will not be forgotten.

She is survived by a daughter, Martinez; her husband, Ron Martinez; grandson Santiago; and siblings Gracie, Irma, Domingo, Bertha, Mario, Sergio, Danny, Olga and Lisa.