San Diego Supervisor-elect Nora Vargas sets stage for more Latinas, and a focus on health, equity

Nora Vargas is aware of what it means to be the primary.

She was the primary Latina appointed to the California Instructor Retirement System (CalSTRS) board, the primary Latina Vice President at Deliberate Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and the founding director of the Metropolis of Los Angeles Workplace of Immigrant Affairs.

Now she would be the first Latina to serve on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for District 1. She additionally would be the first immigrant to turn out to be supervisor and the primary particular person of colour to carry the publish since Leon Williams in 1994.

“This can be a historic second for San Diego County. It’s particularly necessary to me as a result of I need our communities to know that there’s somebody advocating for them,” Nora Vargas mentioned throughout a latest interview at her Chula Vista residence.

Like many residents on this border area, Vargas is aware of what a bilingual, binational and bicultural life is like.

Vargas was born in Tijuana and grew up in South County. She attended Héroes de Granaditas elementary college in Tijuana and later the Escuela Secundaria 1, higher referred to as La Poli.

In San Diego, the place she grew to become a U.S. citizen, she attended Montgomery Excessive College after which went on to Southwestern Faculty. Three years later she transferred to the College of San Francisco, the place she acquired a bachelor’s diploma in politics.

From there her profession has centered on girls’s rights, schooling and public well being. She served as vp of presidency and group relations with Deliberate Parenthood and is president of Southwestern Faculty’s governing board of trustees.

Vargas credit her mother and father with instilling in her a give attention to schooling and public service. She mentioned the reminiscence of her mom — who died in 2009 of most cancers when she lacked entry to satisfactory medical companies — motivated her to run for District 1.

“It was that unhappiness and frustration. I felt helpless for not having the ability to assist my mom,” Vargas mentioned. “We aren’t wealthy; we’re hardworking individuals…. For me that’s caught to at the present time, and that was what motivated me to proceed working”.

Throughout her time at Southwestern Faculty she has witnessed college students not gaining access to primary wants like meals or transportation. Many needed to reside of their automobiles as a result of excessive value of hire, she says.

“I imagine the county has that chance to assist with primary companies for our communities and advocate for extra sources from the federal authorities, so that individuals can have what they want for a great high quality of life,” she says.

When she assumes workplace in January, Vargas can have some massive footwear to fill in changing longtime Supervisor Greg Cox, the present chairman of the board who typically operates as a peacemaker when disagreements between board members erupt. He additionally has remained largely in style within the district he has represented for 25 years, regardless of being a registered Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic district.

Working in Vargas’ favor are her deep group ties, expertise working with each degree of presidency, and the primary Democratic dominance on the county board of supervisors in many years. There additionally can be Democratic majorities within the state legislature and on the San Diego metropolis council, and Democrats will occupy the White Home and the governor’s workplace.

Vargas mentioned she and different Democrats can have an obligation to ship options for the group.

“Politics is a vocation,” Vargas mentioned. “It’s not one thing you simply do; it’s not a recreation. It’s actually what you do to make change and assist others.”

District 1 contains such cities as Chula Vista, Coronado and Nationwide Metropolis, in addition to San Diego communities reminiscent of Barrio Logan, San Ysidro and Otay. About 630,000 individuals reside in District 1.

One of many problems with biggest concern to Vargas is the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impression on Latinos.

“They’re the people who find themselves making the county work proper now, working in shops and hospitals,” she mentioned. “Many don’t have the posh of staying residence.”

On the identical time, the board of supervisors should assist the area rebound economically. County supervisors should think about a brand new funds in simply six months, she mentioned, and so they have a accountability to guard public well being whereas supporting native companies.

Vargas mentioned her priorities additionally embrace addressing the Tijuana River air pollution downside, housing, and guaranteeing entry to childcare.

The 49-year-old Democrat additionally mentioned she hopes to advertise authorities transparency and accessibility throughout her time on the board.

Group conversations and interactive Fb Dwell occasions had been fixtures of Vargas’ political marketing campaign. She mentioned she plans to open extra accessible areas for residents to come back and specific their considerations with out having to go to the county administration constructing in downtown San Diego.

Vargas famous that she is a part of a technology of Latinas that stands on the shoulders of trailblazers. Amongst them are Mary Casillas-Salas, the primary Latina mayor of Chula Vista; Alejandra Sotelo-Solís, the primary Latina mayor in Nationwide Metropolis; Georgette Gómez, the primary LGBTQ Latina elected San Diego Metropolis Council President; and Esther Sánchez, who’s poised to turn out to be Oceanside’s first Latina mayor.

“Many sacrifices … have been made earlier than in order that an individual like me may compete for this place,” she mentioned.

Roberto Hernandez, professor of Chicano Research at San Diego State College mentioned it was about time to see a Latina supervisor in a county the place 30 % of the inhabitants is of Latino descent. He additionally praised the work of many Latinas who paved the best way for future generations.

“Not solely the longer term is Latino, however it’s Latina,” he mentioned. “For many years we’ve seen males in management, and now that we’re seeing extra girls I’m optimistic and assured that they’re going to supply us with a brand new course.”

The marketing campaign path was not all the time straightforward for Vargas.

Within the major she trailed California Senator Ben Hueso and fought an in depth match with San Diego Port Commissioner Rafael Castellanos earlier than pulling forward. Within the basic election, she beat Hueso by 13 proportion factors, regardless of his fundraising benefit and expertise operating for workplace.

“Many individuals advised me, ‘We’re going to believe in you, help you and vote for you, however don’t allow us to down,’ as a result of many occasions politicians promise and when the time comes they neglect,” Vargas mentioned. “I take that personally…. I need to make certain I’m conserving true to the individuals who elected me.”

Vargas gave credit score to some organizations and leaders who’ve helped empower Latina girls. One in all them is the MANA de San Diego, the place Vargas as soon as served on its board.

Inez González, govt director of MANA de San Diego, has little question that extra girls will observe in Vargas’ footsteps.

“For a Latina lady to have the ability to see an individual like Nora who acquired to that place is inspiring, as a result of it sends a message that they will do it too,” Gonzalez mentioned.