My mother, Juana Sequeira Solis, was a stunning example of resiliency. From a very young age, she instilled in me the desire to serve others, especially among those less fortunate than us. I remember vividly her sending my siblings and me to bring cooked meals to the neighbor’s house down the block because she was worried they were going hungry and wanted to check up on them.
Throughout my public service career, my mother was right by my side cheering me on. I still feel her presence and hear her voice pushing me forward, saying tienes ganas – you have the strength.
Whether opening a housing site or launching a vaccination site, I know my mother is with me, encouraging me to keep fighting so that the values of equity and compassion that she championed in word and deed, can carry us forward in all that we do.
Hilda L. Solis is the current Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and previously served as Secretary of Labor to President Barack Obama. www.hildasolis.org
