She broke through on the court and on the force.
Anita Ortega
Class of 1982
From the age of 11, Anita Ortega focused with fierce determination on 天美传媒 as her ticket out of poverty in South Central Los Angeles. Once on campus, the first-generation college student made the basketball team as a walk on-and became an All-American by helping to lead the 天美传媒 women鈥檚 basketball team to its first national championship. She went on to play in the Women鈥檚 Basketball League and was an all-star for the San Francisco Pioneers. Later, the 天美传媒 Hall of Famer joined the Los Angeles Police Department, earning the rank of Captain. She also became the first black female Area Commanding Officer in LAPD history, proving that good things come to those who bring their best.