Council Experience
Maria Davila was first elected to the South Gate City Council on January 28, 2003, and was re-elected for 4-year terms in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2020, and recently in 2024. On April 11, 2017, Maria was selected to serve as Mayor for a 1-year term. She also served as Mayor in 2006, 2011 and 2020 and is currently serving as Mayor. As a member of the City Council, she shares responsibilities with the members of the City Council to set policies and goals for the community.
Personal Life
Maria was born in Michoacán, Mexico and immigrated to the United States when she was a child. She attended Bell Graham Elementary School, South Gate Junior High School, South Gate High School and graduated from Gary High School in Pomona. She married and returned to South Gate where she has resided for the past 43 years. She is a proud mother of 4 children, all who attended Los Angeles Unified School District schools in South Gate, and is a grandmother of 3.
Maria takes special interest as a mother and Mayor in the betterment of the lives of children by shepherding the development and maintenance of South Gate educational and recreational programs for all in the community.
Professional Experience/Volunteer Work
Maria's involvement in her children's education was very important to her and fueled her drive and commitment to improve the education systems in South Gate. She was a member of the School Site Council, Title 1, Bilingual Committee, a Magnet Representative, and a Healthy Start Parent Representative for San Miguel Avenue Elementary School. She has been a parent volunteer since 1994, volunteers in her children's former schools and continues to serve as a member of the South Gate Middle School PTA. She also participates in various community events and organizations.
Maria was employed by Human Services Association for 6 years during which she worked as a Medi-Cal Outreach Worker, Medi-Cal Outreach Coordinator, and Medi-Cal Outreach Ombudsman.
Committees and Boards Served
Maria serves on the following Committees and Boards:
- South Gate Multi-Cultural Women's Club from 1998 to present (President 2012-2014 and 2016-2024)
- Padres Unidos Por-Nuevas Escuelas from 1999 to present
- ECO-Rapid Transportation (OLDA) Joint Powers, currently Southeast Gateway Line Corridor Cities Committee, from 2004 to present (Vice Chairperson, Chair 2015-2017)
- School Safety Collaborative from 2004 to present
- Gateway Cities Council of Governments from 2005 to present (President 2020-2021)
- Independent Cities Association from 2005 to present
- Hub Cities Consortium from 2008 to 2016 and 2024 to present
- Southeast Cities School Coalition from origin to present (Chair, origin to present)
- Metro Service Council
- District 6 Parent Community Advisory Council, 2-year term
- Student Attendance Review Board from 2003 to 2016
- Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control Board of Directors from 2004 to 2017 (President 2016)
- PTA Pacific Council (President 2005-2006)
- Southeast Water Coalition from 2008 to 2021 (Chairperson 2014, 2-year term)
Awards and Honors
- 2006 Woman of the Year, former Senator Martha Escutia
- 2006 Bringing the Pasitos Program to South Gate Families, Human Services Association
- 2008 Spirit of Service Award, Human Services Association
- 2008 Dulcinea Award, Embracing Latinas Leadership Alliance (ELLA)
- 2013 Supporter of programs award, South Gate Police Officers Association
- Leadership and dedication award, former LAUSD Board Member David Tokofsky
- 2018 Women's Federation of World Peace
- 2021 Women Empowering Women
- 2024 Homenaje a Ti Mamá
Maria has also received countless awards for her dedicated support to the students, faculty and parents at South Gate Middle School, San Gabriel Avenue School and Southeast High School.
Shopping Center Success
Maria takes pride in being part of the instrumental success of the azalea Regional Shopping Center development - the 1st major development to be built in the region following the recession which features the largest outdoor installation of “Living Walls.” The azalea shopping center has generated over 1,000 new jobs and features the largest concentration of new nation brand restaurants in the City.
Hobbies and Interests
When Maria is not busy with Council related work or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren; playing with her dog; shopping; going to the movies; and reading.