Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Larios.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sharon. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a proud Pisces! Born on March 7th, 1990. Born and raised in Linda Vista by two Mexican Immigrants, Maria Ines Larios, and Bernardo Larios. Growing up in the poorest neighborhood of District 7, I was exposed to many things. Friends and family members deported, lost friends by my teenage years to violence, or incarceration. I did not understand a lot of what was happening to me or around me.
As a latina, I did not talk about my problems to anyone, as a product of my environment, I just wanted to get out of my neighborhood, out of my home. There were no resources in my community, and the reality I lived as a child is still a reality for many in my neighborhood right now.
I have been working to support my community for many years as part of the system – as a Youth Counselor, a Substance Abuse Counselor, as a Case Manager at Door of Hope for women and children experiencing homelessness, and human trafficking survivors, and now at the County with HHSA. I was inspired to run because I’m tired of fighting for people within a system that doesn’t consider the true needs of my community. I look around my district, my home, and although I see the beauty, and I’m so proud to be from here, I also see missed opportunities, struggle, and pain. Folks who have called this place their home for decades being priced out. Children falling victim to the pitfalls of the streets.
We can do better. We HAVE to do better. And the way we do better is by proactively engaging the people who have been systematically left out of the conversation for far too long. I want District 7 to function as a seat of the people, where decisions are made democratically by involving those most impacted, where we consistently apply a lens of social justice and human dignity. I am Sharon Larios, first-generation Mexican American, LV born and raised, and I am running for San Diego City Council District 7!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a learning experience -since the moment we began exploring this idea of running a campaign. Personally, working full time from 8-5pm, being a mother, having a family, the balance of sharing their time is never easy. My quality time with my daughter is now in meetings or events. I do pride myself in being the First Latina to step into the race, with me is my community.
Our team is made up of District 7 residents, students, families who volunteer their time and work to lift our movement. Although we have the capacity, we are all new to politics so the way are running is not your traditional, conventional campaign. Its truly been a team effort, we don’t have the luxury of quitting our full-time jobs that pay our bills to focus just on the campaign or have fundraised enough to sustain full-time staff.
Fundraising has been complicated, as we are counting on everyday working families, we understand that sometimes that $20 is what our families are counting on to put food on their table, or use for gas.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
I am most proud that this campaign is the true definition of People Power, Again, we are at the very bottom when it comes to fundraising (so far) we are however, the only campaign that is by residents of District 7, I am the only lifelong D7 resident, born and raised. Team Sharon are all D7 natives, half of us are Kearny High Grads, K-HOP! Our team is a reflection of who we are representing and that is everything to me. The issues we speak on are issues that we are affected by.
Right now, we are making history. This is the first time in the history of D7 that a First Generation Mexican American Woman from Linda Vista is running, I want our youth to know that they too can occupy these spaces that systemically have not been meant for people like us to be in. This fight is to set new cycles for poor, marginalized, & disenfranchised, communities like mine to reclaim their space in the City. We can make democracy work for us. I feel like we are entering a new era in politics and redefining what we wish to see in elected officials.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Having my daughter on the campaign trail with me has been the best. She is by my side at meetings, community events, canvasses with me, hears and sees me speak. She’s been exposed to civic engagement at such a young age. Recently while planning her 8th Birthday Party, she told me that she wants her colors to be purple, like my campaign. I didn’t even know what a campaign was at her age, That made me very emotional and proud.
When I hear other people talk about their passion, or success in these political spaces, they always reference their parents. I am doing that for Sa’Niah, giving her what I wish I had as a child. She is seeing her own mother stand in her truth, use her voice, and occupy spaces where there’s not enough women who look like us. I can only imagine what she will do and where she will be when she’s my age. Giving that to my daughter means everything to me. I have broken the cycle that I lived through and creating a new one for her.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lariosd7.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonlariosd7/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LariosD7/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharonlariosd7
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