More than 15 months after her passing, the city of Los Angeles continued to remember and honor a political Chicana trailblazer by declaring Thursday, Aug. 29, Gloria Molina Day.
Elected officials, family, friends and community members gathered in L.A.’s Eastside for the unveiling of a mural of Molina at Casa 0101 Theater in Boyle Heights. This was followed by a reception and art exhibition inside the theater and the premiere of a play celebrating Molina’s life and accomplishments – including her history-making wins as the first Latina ever elected to the California state Assembly, L.A. City Council and L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
City officials chose Aug. 29 as Gloria Molina Day to coincide with the anniversary of the National Chicano Moratorium. On this date in 1970, more than 20,000 people marched through East L.A. to protest the Vietnam War, decrying the disproportionate number of Chicanos killed in that war.
Molina, who was 22 at the time, joined the march and witnessed the violence after L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies began using tear gas and beating demonstrators. That was the start of Molina’s activism.
She was a major player in Southern California’s Chicano movement and, throughout her 30-plus years in political office, helped open the door for other Chicanas seeking leadership roles.
Molina was also a huge supporter of the arts. After she died in May 2023, at age 74, following a three-year bout with cancer, her family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Molina’s memory to Casa 0101 Theater or to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a museum and cultural center which Molina helped bring to downtown L.A.
Thursday’s celebrations kicked off with the unveiling of a mural of Molina by Boyle Heights native Margaret Garcia. Valentina Martinez shared her feelings as the mural dedicated to her mother was revealed.
Some attendees then stayed for a private viewing of an art exhibit called “Gloria Molina: Madrina of the Eastside.” (“Madrina” is Spanish for “godmother.”) The exhibit features portraits of Molina created by various artists.
The evening ended with the premiere of a play called “A Woman Named Gloria,” about a young woman who is paid a visit by the spirit of Molina and learns about the late politician’s life. The play was written by Josefina López, founding artistic director of CASA 0101 Theater.
The play will be performed at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays from Aug. 30 through Oct. 6. at CASA 0101 Theater, 2102 E. 1st St., Los Angeles. Panel discussions on various topics dealing with Molina’s life or issues she cared about will take place after most Sunday performances.
General admission is $25, with discounts for students, seniors ages 60 and over, Boyle Heights residents and large groups. For tickets or information, call 323-263-7684 or visit www.casa0101.org.
The free art exhibit, located in the theater’s lobby, can be viewed before the play performances and during art gallery hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays throughout the show’s run.
Among those expected to attend Thursday’s events were L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, L.A. City Councilmembers Kevin de León and Monica Rodriguez, Rep. Maxine Waters, civil rights activist Dolores Huerta and members of Molina’s family.
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