Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN) is featuring stories from mothers seeking or serving in public office to celebrate Mother’s Day. WPLN's Director of Strategic Impact, Mercedes Blackwood, interviewed California State Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares. Check out the conversation to hear about her experience balancing service to her family and community!

Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares’ career has spanned the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, but always based on serving others with a passion for early childhood education and advocacy. After her mother’s passing in 2018, Suzette was asked to assume her mother’s role as CEO of Little Steps of Faith, a faith-based non-profit preschool that provides quality childcare to underserved families in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.

Suzette was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2020 and was selected to serve as the Vice Chair of the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media Committee, and on the Assembly Committees on Privacy and Consumer Protection, Communications and Conveyance, Rules, and Higher Education. Suzette and her husband Shane live in Santa Clarita with their daughter.

[WPLN]: Tell us a little bit about your decision to run. What motivated you, and what did you hope to accomplish in office?

[Rep. Suzette Martinez Valladares]: I’m a mom of a 5-year-old and she was definitely a huge part of my decision to run for office and serve my community. I also saw first-hand a number of people and families—good families—fleeing this beautiful state because they can’t afford to live here any longer. My heart broke when members of my own family, who are born and raised here in California, fled to other states seeking a more affordable, better quality of life. This has to stop. I’m determined to help make life better here in California for all families so we don’t keep losing them to other states.

What was that conversation like with your family as you were making this decision?

It was a lively conversation, that’s for sure! I have a very supportive husband and family who understood well my passion for service and commitment to my community, and they supported me every step of the way.

Are your kids participating in any aspects of your campaign? How about now that you are in office?

I take my daughter everywhere I can! She’s been by my side at rallies, ridden through town on Christmas floats, participated in ribbon cuttings and grand openings... you name it! Last year, she walked proudly with me onto the Assembly Floor and met Legislators. I pray it’s a moment she’ll never forget.

  

Were there any difficult situations that you had to overcome in regards to balancing your public service and family life?

Of course! But every Mom faces difficult situations and struggles with work/life balance. That’s a Mom’s burden for sure. But you work through those issues and recognize that all you do is really for your children and family.

 
What advice would you give, or a piece of wisdom you wish you’d known?

During Covid, we all had A LOT of Zoom meetings that we took from home. I think every working Mom knows what I’m talking about. We were all doing our best to focus on our professions while at home with our kids. I would be on Zoom calls with business leaders, community interest groups, other Legislators, you name it—discussing legislative issues—and inevitably I would hear a child in the background crying, asking for mommy or daddy, even asking a simple question. Always, and I mean always, the person I was Zooming with would apologize for the distraction. My response was a consistent, “You don’t ever have to apologize for your child to me. They are our first responsibility.” And that still holds true. Our children are our first and most important responsibility.

How are you celebrating Mother’s Day this year?

My Mom passed away in 2018 and I miss her dearly every day, but especially on Mother’s Day. I’m so thankful for the memories my mom gave me and I do everything I can to keep her memory alive, not just for me, but especially for my daughter who I’ll be spending Mother’s Day with this year.

Thank you to Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares for sharing your experience with WPLN!