From the age of 11, Anita Ortega focused with fierce determination on UCLA 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 UCLA women’s basketball team to its first national championship. She went on to play in the Women’s Basketball League and was an all-star for the San Francisco Pioneers. Later, the UCLA 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.