Sarah M. Flores

LEIDA ERICKSON REMEMBERS SARAH FLORES: Sarah Flores first came into my life in December 1965 when I was 18 years old, the newly hired receptionist in Supervisor Frank Bonelli's Office. She was on maternity leave, pregnant with Michelle, and came into the office for the Secretaries' Christmas luncheon. I had never used an IBM Executive typewriter before and found correcting errors overwhelming with the required number of carbon copies and needing to know how many units each letter was. The front office secretaries had tired of my numerous questions. Sarah was the Chief Deputy's secretary, way up in the hierarchy of a County Supervisor's Office. When Sarah saw my dilemma making yet another typo, she sat down in my chair and proceeded to patiently teach me how to correct my error with her special process of using an eraser, chalk and repeated strikes of the key for a good quality repair. She said, "It's not as important to be a good typist as it is to be a good eraser." Sarah instantly became my hero, and has been ever since. The following year Sarah became the first Latina Executive Secretary in the County. She was chosen by Supervisor Frank Bonelli, who always had a special place in his heart for Sarah. Her mantra was "I think I can do this!" and she worked efficiently and effectively to streamline the office's operation while teaching all of us how to help constituents navigate the County's bureaucracy. She managed to balance a demanding job, George's schedule of evening classes at CSULA, and a growing family with her faith, good humor, and genuine hard work. I recall the Easter Sarah brought in all 4 daughters in white eyelet dresses with lavender trim that she had sewed and stayed up all night hemming. It was her gift to Frank Bonelli, who was delighted. We also got to hear good stories, such as when one of you daughters awoke from a nightmare, and Sarah went outside with a fly swatter to bang on the window screen demanding the monster leave and never come back! She was fearless! In 1972 Frank Bonelli died while in office. Sarah kept a cool head and assured all of us that things would work out. Pete Schabarum was appointed the new First District Supervisor, and kept the staff. About this time, newly elected San Diego Supervisor Pete Wilson sent his staff to learn how our office was managed because of its good reputation. Sarah was also one of the founding members of the L.A. County Secretarial Council, designed to enhance secretaries' management skills to allow them to transition to management positions. Sarah became one of the first female Deputies among County Supervisors' staffs, and was instrumental in the formation of the LA County Women's Commission. Some made sure she had to learn the hard way, but she continued to do an outstanding job. She took the assignments no one else wanted to be bothered with and challenged herself to learn more. Soon she became an accomplished Field Deputy in the San Gabriel Valley and developed a rapport with every leader at the Federal, State and City level representing the same constituency she served. Along the way, she would take time to give special attention to those who needed support and recognition, like the LA County Chicano Employees Association, among many. Yet again, Sarah was a champion. When she ran for First District County Supervisor, she won the Primary, receiving 36% of the vote in a 9-candidate field the day after a judge ruled no Hispanic could win the way the First District boundary lines were drawn. She lost in the January Special Election after a judge ruled she and the second runner-up would have to move within the newly created First District boundary lines. She was also forced to raise money over the holidays when the judges ruled MALDEF supported Gloria Molina and Art Torres could use their existing City Council and Senate campaign funds. Did I mention the 1991 Gulf War with Iraq was going on? So few people voted in that special election that Sarah had more votes cast for her alone in the 1990 Primary than the total number of votes cast in the January 1991special election. She took her loss as God's plan for her. Mike Antonovich's Fifth District now included the Foothill Cities of the San Gabriel Valley, and he needed Sarah's expertise and rapport with leaders to welcome a new constituency. Sarah and Judy Stringer made a good team in Mike's San Dimas Field Office for 6 years until Sarah retired and Judy transferred to the Department of Public Works. We County people who have gathered for lunches treasure the memories of those who have gone before us--George, Irene Comaduran, Judy Stringer, and Etchie Mura. I am certain they welcomed Sarah, and I picture Sarah and George dancing together now. For me, personally, I am grateful for having had Sarah in my life for 55 years. She is without a doubt my hero for loving me and guiding me throughout the years. On our outings together, she would bring me up to speed on the news of all of you and your families. She was proud of each and every one of her daughters, sons-in-law (all good cooks), grandkids, and great-grandkids. Again and again, she would impress upon me her values--faith, family, and helping others. Her mantra was turning the "negatives" in life into "positives." To do so, she would use genuine concern and good humor. I bet we've all enjoyed her "goodie bags". Mine came with a variety of things--candy, gum, Kleenex, candles, coasters, lip balm, etc. So loving and generous. To my dear friend, Sarah, I say "Thanks for being you and all the memories we made together. May you rest in peace."