gmhTODAY Spring 2023 | Page 59

she created a task force that gave non-veteran spouses the opportunity to live at the Yountville home as well .
In 1981 , just as Days was poised to serve as the first woman to head the all-male National Association of Veterans Affairs , Governor Brown appointed her as a Santa Clara County Municipal Court Judge , where she served until 1984 . She then spent the remainder of her career — 20 years — as a Judge of the Superior Court .
But she also spent a lot of time as a teacher and mentor , through such groups as the YMCA and AAUW , speaking to students
and colleges , acting as inspiration and a role model for young women and Mexican American students .
Days is reported to have said , “ If you see things that need to be done , you can ’ t sit around waiting for something to happen , because maybe it just won ’ t get done .”
Days died on June 5 , 2015 in San Jose , survived by a large family ( though she never married or had children of her own ). Though the South Bay lost an icon and a force for good , her work and legacy will not be forgotten .
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