Rosemarie "Rosie" Avila has been married for forty-two years to Jim Avila. Together they have five children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, including twins. She was born in Guatemala and came to the United States at the age of five.
Rosie attended Biola University and earned a BA in social science and missions with a minor in Latin American history, graduating with Cum Laude honors. She also earned an elementary teaching credential. In 2002, Rosie earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Biola University and founded a nonprofit organization, which provided elementary and intermediate school-based after-school clubs, teen sport centers, academic tutoring, character development, and teen entertainment events for inner city youth. In 2008, she founded another nonprofit, establishing a vintage boutique, providing older youth workplace skills as well as training in starting and operating a small business.
Medically, she and her husband were not supposed to have children, but miraculously they had five beautiful children, including their second child who was born with cerebral palsy. As the scriptures say, "the barren will be a contented mother of children."
Rosie was elected to the Santa Ana School Board in 1991 and served until 2008, having been elected to four terms. She also served as a Trustee of Biola University for almost twenty years. Her experience with the Santa Ana Unified School District and Biola University provided her with a broad view on governance, education, and an understanding of the inner management of large organizations.
Rosie was appointed by President George W. Bush to the President’s Commission on White House Fellows. In 2008, Rosie Avila was a candidate for the United States Congress and was appointed by Congressman Bob Dornan to serve as a RENEW Woman Advisor to Congress. She was appointed and served on the city’s gang prevention commission, and has received many awards, including the Excellence in Education Award by the California School Board Council, and Friend of the Family Award from California’s Capital Resources. Rosie also received the City of Santa Ana’s Parks and Recreation Community Award for providing recreational activities for young people.