This past month has been marked by many firsts and meaningful milestones. We recently saw Bad Bunny make history at the Grammys when his Spanish-language album won Album of the Year and he became the first solo Latin artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show celebrating Latin culture and music on the world stage.  Major congratulations are also in order for Elizabeth Hernandez, the first Latina to be President of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA).  

Last week, I had the privilege of attending an inspiring Fireside Chat featuring Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Chief Judge Mary Murguia, and Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero– the first Latinas to serve in their roles on the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the California Supreme Court, respectively. The discussion was moderated by Associate Justice Kelli Evans, the first openly lesbian woman to serve on the California Supreme Court. 

In reflecting on her trailblazing path and immigrant roots, Justice Sonia Sotomayor explained that it is not about assimilation, but about integration—reaching outside of our own affinity groups to integrate more broadly across communities because we need one another to succeed.  The panelists also discussed the responsibility that comes with breaking barriers: once doors are opened, we must hold them open for others and ensure that if we are the first to reach the summit, we are not the last.

Each speaker emphasized the importance of “familia,” crediting their achievements to their family’s support, the values they instilled, and the work ethic their parents exemplified.  Family, of course, can mean many things. For some, it is the family we are born into.  For others, it is the family we choose, build, and/or grow along the way.   

In the spirit of family building, I am thrilled to moderate a webinar hosted by WLALA in partnership with HRC Fertility titled “Advancements in Fertility & IVF: Family Building Options,” on February 11, 2026 between 12:00pm to 1:00pm via Zoom. Whether you are personally exploring fertility options or are interested in the evolving legal and medical landscape, I invite you to join this important conversation. The program will cover recent legislative advancements affecting healthcare, including SB 600 and SB 729, innovations in fertility medicine, and LGBTQI+ family-building options, followed by a Q&A with experts in the field.  

In closing, although there are many inspiring “firsts” to celebrate, the broader news can, at times, create feelings of fear and uncertainty as hard-fought rights appear to be slipping away. However, hope must remain our anchor. As Justice Sotomayor so aptly stated, “What other choice do we have?” As she reminded us, change takes time but progress comes from continuing to push forward. 

“It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, but we’ve made it! We’ve made it — all of us.” – Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

With Gratitude,
Farah Tabibkhoei
President, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles