“He Sure Fought Like Hell for Us”: Californians Gather to Honor Trailblazer Nate Holden
Long before Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a national holiday, before California women could secure a home loan on their own, and long before South Los Angeles began to rise from the ashes of the 1992 unrest, Nathaniel “Nate” Holden, a towering figure in state politics, had already planted seeds for a more just and equal California.
By Regina B. Wilson, Joe W. Bowers and Tanu Henry | California Black Media
LOS ANGELES — Long before Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a national holiday, before California women could secure a home loan on their own, and long before South Los Angeles began to rise from the ashes of the 1992 unrest, Nathaniel “Nate” Holden, a towering figure in state politics, had already planted seeds for a more just and equal California.
On May 29, hundreds of Californians gathered at West Angeles Church of God in Christ to celebrate the life of this pioneering leader, who passed away May 7 at age 95.
More than a memorial, the service became a living testimony to a man whose legislative work and personal mentorship have shaped daily lives of people across the state — from civil rights protections and cultural revitalization to grassroots activism.
Holden’s own words framed the spirit of the day. In a television interview years ago, when asked how he wanted to be remembered, he replied simply: “He sure fought like hell for us.”
Holden’s trailblazing career included service in the California State Senate and the Los Angeles City Council, where he championed bold causes that are now embedded in the fabric of California life.
He authored the bill establishing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a California state holiday — years before the federal government followed suit. He also passed the Holden Act, which prohibited financial institutions from requiring a male co-signer for women seeking credit, a quiet but powerful stride toward economic equity.
But as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reminded mourners, Holden’s impact wasn’t limited to policy.
“He used public office not just for politics — but for the people,” Bass said. “He fought for things younger generations might find surprising today: ensuring women could get mortgages in their own names, fighting housing discrimination. Nate Holden was always ahead of his time — and unafraid to lead.”
Bass also recalled his relentless mentorship. “He would call me up, often unprompted, to tell me exactly what I needed to do next. That was Nate Holden — always watching, always guiding, always fighting for justice,” she said.
Holden’s son, former Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represented a district that included Pasadena, spoke about his father’s lifelong, hands-on approach to service.
“When you brought a problem to him, it became his problem,” the younger Holden said. “And even at 95, he was still writing letters to the President. He couldn’t help it — service was who he was.”
He shared how Holden’s public life was matched by personal conviction: a World War II Army veteran, an aerospace engineer who contributed to America’s early space program, and a mentor to countless leaders.
“He lived a life of purpose and intentionality,” the younger Holden continued. “He planted seeds in good soil — and his legacy is in the generations that follow.”
Holden’s grandson, also named Nate Holden, reflected on the persistence that defined his grandfather’s life.
“At 16, he was determined to fight for freedom overseas — at a time when he didn’t enjoy full freedoms at home,” his grandson said. “That spirit — to stand up for what’s right — stayed with him for life.”
Holden’s commitment to the arts and culture also took center stage at the memorial.
Veteran actor Glynn Turman recalled Holden’s leadership in the fight to save the historic Ebony Showcase Theater in Los Angeles, later renamed the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center — a beacon for Black artists and cultural pride.
“He knew that art could transform communities,” Turman said. “From rebuilding Crenshaw after the riots to championing the performing arts, Nate was our ‘everything man.’”
For many, Holden was more than an elected official — he was an essential voice in shaping their careers.
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn described him as a personal mentor, often affectionately calling him “Uncle Nate.”
“He taught me: Don’t just show up — speak up, do your homework, make things happen,” Hahn said.
She fondly remembered late-night phone calls from Holden, who would advise — or sometimes command — her on political strategy.
“He never stopped caring, or calling,” Hahn laughed. “Even when I redistricted out of his neighborhood, he would still call to make sure I was taking care of the people there.”
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) offered some of the day’s most personal reflections, calling Holden an uncompromising truth-teller.
“Whether people liked it or not, Nate Holden would stand at that podium and tell the truth,” Waters said. “That’s what made him a legend. He never backed down from a fight.”
She also recalled Holden’s unmatched persistence, noting his multiple runs for office before achieving success — a reminder of his unshakable belief in the causes he fought for.
His imprint is seen not only in California’s legal code, or in the performing arts center that bears his name, but in some of the everyday freedoms Californians now enjoy.
“He fought like hell for us,” Chris Holden reminded those gathered. “And now, it’s on us to carry that legacy forward.”
Holden is survived by his children — Chris, Reginald, and Melissa Holden — along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“My dad was committed to public service like no one I’ve ever known. Even at 95, he was still writing letters to the President, telling him what needed to be done,” the younger Holden added. “He believed, as scripture teaches, that when you plant seeds in good soil, they will bear fruit. My father made sure his seeds were planted in good soil — and today, we see the impact of his life all around us.”
