Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, a Cal Poly Pomona alumna and currently a scholar-in-residence, sat down for a video interview with political science Professor Renford Reese to talk about her life and political career.

During the interview, Solis reminisces about growing up as the daughter of immigrants in La Puente, and studying at Cal Poly Pomona. She also discusses her political career, which began when she ran for local office. Solis then won election to the California State Assembly and followed that by becoming the first Latina in the State Senate.

The interview also covers Solis’ eight years in Washington as a congresswoman and then the first Latina appointed to a Cabinet-level position in the federal government from 2009 to 2013.

Solis returned to Cal Poly Pomona last fall to serve as a scholar-in-residence after stepping down as labor secretary.