My body became everybody’s business

View in browser  Dear Sharra, If you had told my teenage self that I would be running for office, I would have laughed. I was barely 18 years old when I found out I was pregnant — I felt my life was over.  Seemingly overnight, my body became everybody's business. People I trusted, and even strangers, constantly criticized me. I was made to feel ashamed about the person I was — and worse, my baby. I hid from everyone when I could.  I had to drop out of 4-year university, move back with my parents, and go on food stamps. I was the stereotypical image of a single pregnant teen. But I never stopped dreaming. With the help of my community, I completed my first semester of community college, had my baby during winter break, and was breastfeeding while studying for algebra, bringing her to community meetings. I had found my raison d'etre: Stella, my starlight. My story is a story of perseverance, tenacity, and hard work — but no amount of discipline and focus would have allowed me to become a housing rights attorney, run for office, and be a good mom to my daughter if it wasn't for the community that lifted me. My mom, aunties, friends, and neighbors pitched in so I could succeed and beat the odds. Once shamed for my pregnancy, I became respected for protecting the rights of low-income tenants and small businesses in the second largest city in the US: Los Angeles.  Today, I'm running for LA City Council to unseat the infamous Kevin de León, who was caught on tape engaging in illegal gerrymandering and racist rhetoric — even saying that a white colleague displayed his Black son the way a colleague displayed her status handbag.   Even President Joe Biden called on him to resign. But Kevin wouldn't. I'm a daughter of Filipino immigrants, a lifelong Angeleno, and a fierce defender of human rights, economic justice, climate equity, and safe and dignified housing. Will you help me win a seat on the Los Angeles City Council? Will you contribute $10, $15, or whatever you can today? Donate $10 Donate $25 Donate $50 Donate $100 Donate $250 Other amount Abrazos at Ingat, Ysabel Jurado Candidate for Los Angeles City Council, District 14 Ysabel Jurado is a tenants' rights attorney, affordable housing activist, mom, lifelong Angeleno, and candidate to become the next councilmember for Los Angeles District 14. Her platform focuses on increasing access to housing, ending homelessness, supporting small businesses, and building a more just economy for all. When elected, she will make history as the first Filipina to ever serve on the Los Angeles City Council and the first woman to represent her district. Find out more at ysabeljurado.la. CONTRIBUTE ››› Paid for by Jurado for City Council 2024 FPPC ID#1457034 16633 Ventura Blvd #1008 Encino, CA 91436 Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org Unsubscribe