Former Mayor Shares Words of Advice

Former San Bernardino Mayor Judith Valles presented her new book, “As My Mother Would Say," and did a book signing at the Kellogg Room at the Feldheym Central Library early last month. Valles’s book is based around her upbringings and the influence her mother, Jovita Lopez de Valles, had on Valles and her siblings. It specifically focuses on Valles's strong Mexican heritage, which she said reflects the valued traditions and sayings of Mexico. As Valles explains in her book, “The proverbs, or 'dichos,' were a daily dose of teachings from my mother. We believed she made them up as situations arose and it was not until we began using the 'dichos' as adults that other people we met from Mexico could relate, laugh and say, ‘My grandma used to say that.'” Valles has truly made Southern California, and specifically San Bernardino a permanent home. After receiving her B.A. at University of Redlands, she went on to get her M.A. at the University of California, Riverside. Through the years, Valles held many respected positions, including serving as president of Golden West Community College; serving as the San Bernardino City mayor, the first Hispanic mayor of any city in the country; serving as interim president of both Coastline College and Oxnard College; and many other leadership positions in the community, making an impact in her community. Now, Dr. Valles, who serves as the president of the San Bernardino Symphony board of directors, spreads the words and advice of the person she looked up to as a child and grew into the person she is today. Although her book is simply the guidance her mother gave her through words of advice and daily anecdotes, this impacted Valles and helped lead her to the many accomplishments and awards she holds today, she shared. Valles said, “While some of these 'dichos' may not be sophisticated, profound and intellectual, they are amazingly cogent. They have been invaluable to me in developing my style in management and leadership.” After presenting her book, Valles did a brief book signing. Those who didn't have a copy of the book were able to purchase one at the library.