Ontario, CA — When Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez (D-Ontario) took the oath of office, it wasn’t just another political milestone — it was her daughter’s 41st birthday.

For Rodriguez, that moment symbolized more than just public service; it was a testament to the resilience and strength she’s carried since becoming a mother in high school, navigating poverty and ultimately rising to the halls of California’s legislature.

“I knew what it was like to be that mother deciding whether to pay the water bill or buy groceries,” she shared in a recent interview with Inland Valley News. “I lived in Section 8 housing. I was on Medi-Cal and food stamps. My story began with struggle, and that’s what drives me to serve today.”

Now representing her community in the Assembly, Rodriguez stands not just as a policymaker but as a mirror for the people who elected her.

“People told me during my campaign, ‘You’re one of us.’ And I am,” she said. “We can send doctors and lawyers to Sacramento, but when you send someone with a real-life story, it hits different.”

Her background is one of grit and purpose. Raised by experience rather than privilege, Rodriguez has dedicated her time in office to building safer neighborhoods, empowering working families and tackling systemic issues like homelessness and human trafficking.

One of her top legislative priorities is public safety, an issue that hits home for her. With one son serving as a Deputy Sheriff and another as a firefighter EMT, Rodriguez is deeply invested in ensuring families feel secure.

“Public safety is a top priority,” she said. “I introduced AB 63 to help law enforcement combat prostitution and human trafficking, not to criminalize victims but to protect them and get them help.”

Assembly Bill (AB 63) seeks to make it unlawful to loiter in public places with the intent to commit prostitution.

She recalled a powerful moment during a ride-along with Pomona police.

“A 14-year-old girl, a runaway from Arizona, was out on the street,” she said. “A female officer couldn’t ignore it. She approached her, and the girl asked for help. That’s exactly what my bill is meant for, giving officers the tools to help, not hurt.”

Rodriguez also spoke candidly about the homelessness crisis.

“We need prevention, immediate support and long-term solutions,” she said, advocating for expanded rental assistance, access to mental health care and removing red tape for affordable housing construction. Yet she’s honest about the challenges.

“A lot of people don’t want to go to shelters because of the rules,” she said. “We need options that work and partnerships with local governments and nonprofits to make real change.”

Rodriguez is clear about the superpower women bring to leadership.

“Women get stuff done,” she said plainly. “We know how to balance life, work and family. We organize. We show up. We lead.”

For Women’s History Month, Rodriguez stands as a shining example of how life experience can shape policy and leadership in meaningful ways.

She’s not only rewriting what leadership looks like, she’s redefining what it feels like.

“My constituents didn’t send me here to fight with others,” she said. “They sent me to work and that’s exactly what I plan to keep doing.”

She also made it clear that collaboration with the Black community is not just part of her strategy, it’s a priority.

“I’ve made it a point to work with the Black community, to have those conversations,” she said. “Not just when it’s convenient, but consistently. I want to make sure they know I’m not here to speak for them, I’m here to speak with them.”

Rodriguez expressed deep respect for Black leadership in her district and across the state.

“There are so many incredible Black leaders in our communities—pastors, organizers, educators—who are already doing the work,” she said. “My job is to listen, to support, and to show up. And that’s what I try to do every day.”

She acknowledged that systemic change requires cross-cultural collaboration and mutual trust.

Whether it’s advocating for streamlined permitting to help small businesses or supporting workforce development through public-private partnerships like the AI hub at Cal Poly Pomona, Rodriguez is focused on building a future that reflects the needs, and values, of everyday Californians.

“Everything I do here is for my community,” she said. “And I’ll never forget where I came from.”

This profile is part of Inland Valley News’ “Her Story” series, celebrating Women’s History Month by spotlighting the women shaping our region and inspiring the next generation of leaders.