CommentsVOICES--As a first-generation immigrant, the daughter of a warehouse worker, a 30-year dues paying member of LA City Employees’ Unions (SEIU & EAA), and a proud K-12 LAUSD alum, I am and always have been committed to improving the community where I live. (Photo above: Grace Yoo is on the left.)
My name is Grace Yoo and I’m a 48-year-old community leader and attorney, running for Los Angeles City Council District 10. After spending nearly 30 years advocating for my neighbors, working-class families and individuals who have been neglected by the City, I decided it was time to run for City Council to end corruption and enact fiscally responsible policies that actually benefit the people of Los Angeles.
I’m running for City Council to ensure that our district has fair representation, reliable city services and a focus on the well-being and safety of the people.
My first job as an attorney was representing abused and neglected children at LA County’s Children’s Law Center. From there, I went on to serve as the Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), where I expanded language access initiatives, solidified the Voting Rights Act and diversified the bench with more lawyers from different ethnicities, religions and gender identities. I continued to create valuable change as the Executive Director of a local non-profit, empowering underserved communities and providing opportunities and resources for all, including for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students.
My activism extends beyond my profession: I volunteer and serve on numerous boards, committees and task-forces for organizations such as the Sierra Club, St. Barnabas Senior Services and West Adams Heritage Association. Embracing unity, I am a co-founder of the Asian Jewish Initiative, Environmental Justice Collaborative and United Neighborhoods for Los Angeles. I also served as Commissioner and Vice-President for the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation. I am a service-minded leader who works with community members to improve the quality of life for local residents.
For more than a decade, I have been a formidable critic of City Hall, which has failed to follow the law. Now, I want to implement ethical policies to make sure City Hall serves the people and not political insiders. As Councilwoman, I will hold monthly town hall meetings, to listen to residents and local business owners to discuss problems and solutions that will make District 10 a better place to live, work and thrive.
I will work to earn your vote and invite you to join our mailing list (www.graceyoocd10.com) and to follow my campaign on Facebook and Instagram. With your involvement and your vote, we will set District 10 and City Hall on a positive path forward. Please join me and thousands of residents in voting for Yoo.
(Grace Yoo Is an attorney and has been active politically for years. She is running for LA District 10 council member.)
-cw
