She is the First Latina in History to be Elected to the California State Legislature, the Los Angeles City Council, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina will be the featured speaker at the upcoming Latino Leaders Luncheon Series™, taking place from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 4th at the Capital Hilton, Presidential Ballroom, 16th and K Streets, NW in Washington, DC. The series is a quarterly event hosted by Latino Leaders Network™ and founder, Mickey Ibarra, to provide a platform for prominent Latino leaders to share their personal story of obstacles overcome to achieve success.
Gloria Molina was first elected to office in 1982 as State Assemblywoman for the 56th District. In 1987, she was elected to the Los Angeles City Council where she served as the Councilwoman of the First District until 1991. In February of 1991, she was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, representing the First Supervisorial District. Ms. Molina is the first Latina in history to be elected to the California State Legislature, the Los Angeles City Council, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Prior to being elected to public office, Ms. Molina served in the Carter White House as a Deputy for Presidential Personnel. After leaving the White House, Molina served in San Francisco as a Deputy Director for the Department of Health and Human Services. Active in local as well as national issues, Molina serves on the boards of several prominent organizations including: the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Board, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project, and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda. Supervisor Molina also was appointed by President Clinton to the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Affairs and the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee.
A native of Los Angeles, Molina is the eldest of ten children. She is a graduate of El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California, and attended East Los Angeles College and Rio Hondo College. She is married to businessman Ron Martinez, and they have one daughter, Valentina.
“We are delighted to welcome Supervisor Molina to the Latino Leaders Luncheon Series™ and to present her with the Nambe Eagle Leadership Award for outstanding contributions to her community,” said Mickey Ibarra, Founder and Chairman of the Latino Leaders Network™. “Her lifetime of public service to the Los Angeles community and to the nation as made her one of America’s preeminent public servants who has consistently been an advocate for Latinos everywhere.”
Verizon Communications and The Coca-Cola Company are sponsors of the luncheon, and Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. and Southwest Airlines are the sponsors is the sponsor for the pre-luncheon reception. Media partners include the Hispanic Communications Network, Latino Leaders Magazine, and El Tiempo Latino.
The first Latino Leaders Luncheon was held in 2004 and featured then Representative Bob Menendez. In 2005, speakers included Senator Ken Salazar and Representative John Salazar, brothers from Colorado currently serving in Congress, delivering joint keynote addresses; Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa delivering a keynote address just days after his historic 2005 victory; and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales headlining the luncheon in November. In 2006, the luncheon series featured Senator Bob Menendez; Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte; Father Virgilio Elizondo, a Hispanic Heritage Awardee; and actress Eva Longoria. In 2007, luncheon speakers included Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM), Oregon State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo, NY Mets General Manager Omar Minaya, actor and youth advocate Wilmer Valderamma, and journalist Maria Hinojosa. In 2008, luncheon speakers have included Senator Mel Martinez. Details and photos from each of these events are available on the Latino Leaders Network™ website (www.LatinoLeadersNetwork.org).
Latino Leaders Network™ (LLN) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to develop ongoing opportunities to bring leaders together to establish relationships and dialogue on issues important to the Latino community. promote the social and economic advancement of the Latino community in the United States by developing opportunities for current and prospective Latino leaders to meet and dialogue on issues of concern. In addition to the Latino Leaders Luncheon Series™, other signature events supported by the LLN are the Latino Leaders Issue Hour and the Latino Mayors Tribute. LLN is also the producer of the “Latinos on the Hill” directory and first-ever Latino Honor Roll. Mickey Ibarra, Founder and Chair of LLN, is the President of Mickey Ibarra & Associates, a government relations and public affairs firm that hosts the events of the LLN. He served as Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House from 1997 to 2001. In addition to Mickey Ibarra, the Board of Directors of the Network includes: Michelle Minguez Moore, Executive Director; Maria Teresa Petersen, the founding Executive Director for Voto Latino; Raul L. Rubio, a government affairs consultant; Ruben Alvarez, co-founder and Managing Partner of the Molera Alvarez Group; and David Ibarra; a Utah business owner and founder of the Ibarra Foundation.
Notes: Participation in the Latino Leaders Luncheon Series™ is by invitation only. For more information, please contact Michelle Minguez Moore at 202-969-8777. Media wishing to cover the luncheon are asked to RSVP to Jennifer Devlin at 703-876-1714 or jennifer.devlin@cox.net. Press call time is 12:00 pm for the luncheon.
