Embracing Public Service

Inspired by her experience working in the Carter Administration and with a strong desire to serve her community, Hilda turned to public service.

She was first elected to public office in 1985 as a member of the Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees.  There, she tirelessly worked to increase the accessibility of higher education to all people even as the college was facing a dramatic cut of state funds for programs promoting equal opportunity. 

In 1992, she successfully ran for the California State Assembly using a broad grassroots campaign that emphasized environmental protection, education, labor, and women's rights.  In the Assembly, she proved to be an apt legislator, effectively pushing through key measures on health care, domestic violence, labor issues, and the environment.  This included a desperately needed measure that put strict restrictions on the size of a landfill that was forced onto a local, low income community by big business.