Jeanne’s Story

I am a proud fourth-generation San Gabriel resident. I attended Washington School and learned to swim in the Smith Park pool. My grandmothers, Josefina Raya and Modesta Dominguez, were leaders in the San Gabriel Mission parish, particularly among Spanish-speaking parishioners. From these strong women, and other family members, I inherited a legacy of community service that is in my DNA.

I grew up on Mission Drive in San Gabriel, next door to my paternal grandparents. Their house was the gathering place for aunts, uncles and cousins, and the rest of the neighborhood families filled out our community. My daughter was fortunate to have the same family and community experience on the softball fields of Sunnyslope Little League, where girls from across the city developed a strong work ethic and team loyalty.

My professional experience includes several years practicing law in San Gabriel, and ownership of an insurance agency in the Mission District. I am mindful of the demands small business owners face every day trying to sustain and grow a profitable business. Those businesses, wherever they are located in the city, need the council’s attention to infrastructure, marketing, and access to capital to maintain a healthy city economy that encourages residents to buy local.

San Gabriel has been home to multiple generations of families from our original indigenous families to the newest immigrants. I am committed to a San Gabriel that celebrates our history and our many traditions.

I am running for San Gabriel City Council because I see a need for new leadership with a knowledge of the political and social history of the city, and a vision for a thriving 21st century city for the next generations. I am ready to work. I know my way around a complex budget and risk management. I have experience managing personnel. I have served San Gabriel nonprofits as a board member, a fundraising volunteer, and a faithful donor.

San Gabriel City Council needs an independent thinker who is accessible to our diverse residents, who keeps an open mind and a commitment to treat all opinions with respect, both on the council and in the community. There is no room to disparage individuals or groups in pursuit of political or social influence.

Jeanne’s Community Service

San Gabriel has a vibrant culture of volunteerism. I grew up next to La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center, where I served as a Board member for many years, and chaired the annual fundraising dinner. We worked together to support the staff and volunteers of La Casa to create a nurturing pre-school, provide assistance to families in need, and create a space that celebrates our hard-working families. It was a privilege to join La Casa’s leaders to accept Congressmember Chu’s acknowledgment of La Casa as “Non-Profit of the Year” in 2022.

I am also serving AYC and the AAPI community as a member of the Stop Hate Committee at AYC, supporting multicultural bridge building through arts and culture, as well as vital Bystander Intervention training designed to reduce hate-based attacks.

I want to bring that spirit of inclusion to the work I do for the City of San Gabriel.

In 2011, I served on California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission, traveling around the state to hear residents tell the stories of their communities, and helping to draw new election boundaries for our state’s congressional and legislative districts. We set the gold standard for outreach to the public, holding over 100 meetings and hearings throughout the state. I am committed to ensuring that San Gabriel city government is open and transparent.

Residents can join me in promoting transparency:

Jeanne Raya’s Community Service & Recognition

  • Co-Chair, San Gabriel Community Foundation

  • Trustee, San Gabriel Historical Association

  • Vice President, San Gabriel Women’s Foundation

  • AYC Stop Hate Steering Committee

  • Former Board Member, La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center

  • Past-President, San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce

  • Former Member, SGUSD Roosevelt Elementary School Site Council