“And just like that, the little girl who grew up in Bell Gardens became the first in her family to earn a doctorate degree and the first on the BG City Council to do it too. I may be the first, but I pray I’m not the last.”
Bell Gardens is home to many dedicated individuals who strive to make a difference. Among them is Councilwoman Dr. Francis De Leon Sanchez, who has been serving the city since 2022. Dr. De Leon Sanchez’s journey into public service reflects the values instilled in her by her parents, Pedro and Teresa De Leon, who moved to Bell Gardens 50 years ago from Guadalajara, Mexico.
One of six siblings, Dr. De Leon Sanchez grew up seeing his parents’ exemplify their philosophy of “You live to serve, and you serve to live.” They were very involved in St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church, where they ran the “De Leon Tacos” carne asadas every year, with Dr. De Leon Sanchez also participating. They also provided rides to school to other children in the neighborhood and were always ready to help anyone who needed something.
Her parents had limited education; her father only had elementary school level education and her mother high school, but they emphasized the importance of education in their children. Inspired by their dedication, Dr. De Leon Sanchez became the first in her family to earn a doctorate, and the first in the history of the Bell Gardens City Council with such a degree, pioneering a path that she hopes will not be the last.
A former teacher in the Montebello Unified School District and now an administrator in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Dr. De Leon Sanchez first entered city politics as an education commissioner, where she helped bring back the banners honoring city high school and college graduates, as well as the Annual César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta Art and Essay Contest.
Dr. De Leon Sanchez became the first in her family to earn a doctorate, and the first in the history of the Bell Gardens City Council with such a degree.”
That experience and the “toxic” behavior and “cattiness” she saw on the dais as disagreements escalated during City Council meetings sparked her entry into politics.
“As a resident of the city, I thought, maybe I could help people see that politics is not all bad,” she says.
Throughout her tenure, she has initiated programs aimed at enhancing community engagement, such as the Bell Gardens Connect App. This tool enables residents to request city services such as graffiti removal and illegal parking violations. She also advocated for competitive salaries for city administrators, and – with the help of her husband, Carlos Sanchez – launched the Eddie Cochran Memorial Car Show, which not only raises scholarship funds but celebrates the vibrant car culture that is part of the community’s identity.
After three years as a councilmember, Dr. De Leon Sanchez remains steadfastly committed to her mission of HOPE: Helping Other People Everyday, and has learned that you have to make tough decisions that may sometimes be criticized.
“I’ve learned that you have to be honest, transparent,” she says. “Sometimes you’re going to make tough decisions, but you have to look at longevity and the best for the city. You have to act with conviction and make those decisions.”
She says the only drawback to being in the public eye is people going after her family, who have nothing to do with her political work.
“I have no problems taking the hits every day. The problem I have is when it involves my family,” she notes.
Still, she doesn’t call herself a politician.
“I’m a public servant,” she says. “I’m here to serve you. I’m here to serve families.”
She recognizes the need for continuous improvement in her community and is determined to inspire others, particularly young Latinas, to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
Or the criticism she may face for her decisions.
“I’m doing the best that I can. I’m always going to make the best choice possible for the community, the choice that is going to be the most impactful and positive,” says Dr. De Leon Sanchez.
