During the 2017 Women in California Leadership Celebration Luncheon in Sacramento on March 6, Assemblywoman Anna M. Caballero (D-Salinas) honored Hollister City Councilwoman Mickie Solorio Luna as Woman of the Year for the 30th Assembly District.
“I am proud to honor Mickie on the Assembly floor today," Caballero said. "Her background in local government and strong commitment and dedication to her community highlights the exceptional talents and compassion of this extraordinary woman. Her achievements are unparalleled and make her one of the most distinguished and inspirational women in my district.”
A news release from Caballero's office said Luna's life has been committed to the well being and success of young people, migrant workers, and all others within the communities she serves.
Luna was born in Hollister and attended Gavilan Community College and San Jose State University. After college, she worked for Hollister’s City Finance Department for 30 years. Since 1978, she has worked in several capacities, including as president for the Mexican American Committee on Education (MACE), a nonprofit that gives scholarships to young students.
In 1987, she founded the League of United Latin American Citizens, Council 2890 (LULAC), an organization that advocates for the economic, educational, and political advancement of the Hispanic community. She served as both the organization’s district director and state president before being elected national LULAC vice president for the Far West region, overseeing California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii. She is also founder of the LULAC Citizens Council 705.
Luna has held multiple positions serving her community including: chair of the San Benito County Grand Jury Education Committee, 1988-1990; member of the San Benito Mental Health Advisory Board, 1988-2000; executive vice president of the American Red Cross, 1990-1992; member of the San Benito Community Action Board, 1990-1996; board member to the Latino Advisory Committee for Gavilan Community College, 1994-1996; vice chair for the Latino Institute for Corporate Inclusion from 2008-2010; and chair of the Chicano Latino Caucus of the California Democratic Party from 2007-2011.
In 2014, she received the Ohtli Recognition from the president of Mexico for her years of commitment to the Mexican community living in the United States. Also that year, she was elected to the Hollister City Council to represent District 2.
Caballero is the chair of the Agriculture Committee of the California State Assembly. She represents the 30th District, which includes the Salinas Valley and Big Sur, San Benito County, Watsonville, Gilroy, and Morgan Hill.
