Abigail Medina is the eldest of three and a daughter of working-class immigrant parents. In her youth, Abigail was a part of the foster care system as well as in and out of different schools. As a result, she understands first hand the dire need to combat poverty and the need to prioritize resources for youth. 

Abigail is also a mother of five, and raised her family in San Bernardino and Highland, California. As a young mother, she worked in fields picking tomatoes in central California to help support her family. There she witnessed many of the struggles that farm workers face from exposure to toxins, the health disparities, to the lack of being paid a liveable wage.

As a mother Abigail knows the many concerns parents have regarding quality education and access to higher education. She was motivated to become involved when she saw that her son was being misclassified. She also understands the need for vocational pathways that will set up students for success. Overall, Abigail values education because it provides an opportunity for generations to come out of poverty. She ran as a school board member to push for an environment that is safe and supportive for students. One that equips students as best as they can for college, vocational, and career paths. Ultimately, one that allows students to be ready for what they choose to do after high school. 

Prior to serving on the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD), Abigail worked with numerous community organizations including the Congregation Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE) as a parent organizer, the Health Advocates, and the California Association for the Gifted and the District African American Advisory Council.

​Since being elected to the SBCUSD in 2013, Abigail has taken the lead on the board’s budget and strategic planning. Under her leadership, high school graduation rates have exceeded state and county standards for the first time in over 40 years. Abigail has also spearheaded efforts to increase parent engagement, expand AVID programs into elementary schools, and has advocated to align graduation requirements to meet CSU/UC A-G requirements. She has passed several resolutions, most memorable the Safe Zone resolution and Census 2020 Complete Count resolution. 

Further, Abigail has served as the executive director of Inland Region Equality Network (IREN), where she was focused on fostering an inclusive and safe space for members of the LGBTQ on a local level. Abigail has supported environmental justice efforts in the Inland Empire and in the past, served as a board member for Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ). 

​In 2016, she ran a grassroots campaign that was centered on delivering environmental, social, and economic justice, which invigorated activists in the local community in CA’s State Assembly's 40th District against a Republican incumbent. She defied the odds by coming in first in the primary. Ultimately, she finished 1,948 votes behind the incumbent and has since then been determined to represent that area’s most disadvantaged residents.
​