[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 139 (Tuesday, August 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO GRACIA MOLINA ENRIQUEZ DE PICK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 27, 2019

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I stand today to remember 
Gracia Molina Enriquez de Pick, who passed away on August 11th at the 
age of 91.
  A fierce feminist, educator, and philanthropist, Gracia will be 
remembered for her work in both Mexico City and San Diego. She was a 
tireless activist whose incredible contributions to San Diego and the 
world will not be soon forgotten.
  Gracia was born into a politically active family in Morelia, Mexico. 
As a teenager, Gracia had the opportunity to meet Diego Rivera and 
Frida Khalo, whose words--``the importance of social responsibility 
mandates fighting for those who cannot defend themselves''--became a 
lesson Gracia would return to many times during the course of her work.
  Before moving to San Diego, Gracia fought for women's suffrage while 
living in Mexico City in the early 1950s. Gracia was known for taking a 
literal soapbox to the city's open-air markets and advocating for the 
right to vote to anyone who would listen. Mexican women were granted 
full citizenship and suffrage in 1953. While living in Mexico City, 
Gracia met Richard Allen Pick, whom she would later marry and relocate 
with to San Diego in 1957.
  Gracia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, teaching credentials, and 
her Master's degree from San Diego State University and went on to 
teach junior high school in the National City neighborhood of San 
Diego. She later became a faculty member at Mesa College, where she 
helped found one of the nation's first Chicano Studies programs. Gracia 
went on to teach at Third College (later Thurgood Marshall College) at 
the University of California, San Diego.
  In addition to teaching, Gracia was involved with politics in San 
Diego. She served as the Chicana Caucus Chair of the National Women's 
Political Caucus and the National Council of La Raza (now UnidosUS). 
She was a published author, whose 2008 book ``Mujeres en al Historia & 
Historias de Mujeres'' explored the history of indigenous women in 
Mexico.
  Later in life, Gracia turned to philanthropy. She donated money to 
scholarships at UC San Diego and Mesa College and helped fund the 
construction of the Logan Heights library branch.
  Gracia is survived by two sons and a daughter. She will be remembered 
by her life of service and her commitment to uplifting her communities.

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