By Leonard Rodriguez
This column highlights inspiring stories of Latino leaders. For more than 500 years, Latino men and wom- en have positively influenced the face of United States so- ciety. Let us celebrate these outstanding hispanics
Lourdes G. Baird
After having three children and a career as a homemaker for 11 years, Lourdes G Baird born Lourdes Delgado in Ecuador in 1935, decid- ed it was time to return to school. After gaining an as- sociate’s degree, she enrolled at UCLA where she earned her B.A. and law degrees. She divorced at age 40 and celebrated her 41st birthday as her law career began to flourish. By 1988, she had become a Los Angeles Supe- rior Court judge and the fol- lowing year was nominated for the post of U.S. Attorney General in California Central District. In July 1990, at age 55, she was sworn into of- fice.
Overseeing 14 million people in the largest federal district in the nation, Baird serves as a reminder to all that it’s never too late to reinvent oneself.
