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East Palo Alto council honors community leader 'Mama D' with proclamation
Summary
The council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing the life and service of a longtime community organizer known locally as “Mama D.” Family members and multiple residents delivered tributes on the record, and the council pledged further ways to memorialize her work.
Mayor Lopez opened the meeting with a proclamation celebrating the life of a community leader described throughout the meeting as "Mama D," calling her "a tremendous force of nature" for East Palo Alto and surrounding communities. The mayor invited family members and community leaders to speak on the record before the council adopted the proclamation.
Family members and residents recounted decades of service. Tiffany Lila Molongi, speaking for the family, thanked the city for the August 10 recognition and urged the council to help make the day an ongoing celebration: "My mother was a beacon of love, strength, and resilience," she said. Other speakers described Mama D's role hosting community events, mentoring youth and circulating petitions for local measures.
Council members responded with personal recollections and linked Mama D's work to current civic efforts, including voter-organizing for Measure JJ. Councilmember Romero noted that Mama D "signed the document on Thursday" while ill, calling it one of her last political acts. The council moved, seconded and unanimously approved the proclamation recognizing Mama D's lifetime of community service.
The item concluded with the mayor saying the proclamation is the first of many ways the city will honor her legacy and with promises by council members to continue related community work and commemorations.
