Dedication, integrity, enthusiasm, and pride are words that describe Anita Martinez. Anita Nanez Martinez was born in Dallas, December 8, 1925, the fifth of six children born to Jose and Anita Nanez. She grew up in the area of town known as "Little Mexico." Mrs. Martinez describes her childhood as poor, but also states that she had no realization of being poor at the time. All the residents of the area were poor. Anita Martinez is proud of her family, her heritage, and culture. This pride combined with a great deal of caring for others and an incredible amount of energy has led to a full life of leadership, volunteerism, and accomplishment
As a young woman, Mrs. Martinez worked after school to help support her family. Her father died when she was young, leaving her mother to provide for herself and the children. The situation was compounded later by the death of her brother. Anita assumed the role of helping her mother care for the family. She held a goal for herself; to make life better for her family, herself and those around her. One of the first steps toward that goal was to finish high school. This diploma was a key to higher wages. Despite advice from others to drop out of school in order to work longer hours and being home more money, Anita stayed in school. This may have been a slower route to more money, but in her eyes it would mean enhanced opportunities for a higher paying job. The belief in the importance of education and the completion of high school remained one of the important ideas Mrs. Martinez held while working with young people.
Keeping with the tradition of the time, with her marriage to Albert Martinez, Anita assumed the role of homemaker and mother. While raising her four children, Mrs. Martinez began her career as a dedicated volunteer for the development of young people. Albert Martinez worked in the restaurant business with his family. As the success of the El Fenix restaurants grew, the Martinez family moved to North Dallas. This move to more prosperous surroundings, however, did not change their involvement with the Hispanic Community and the desire to improve life for others. Anita continued to work as a community activist, working to get roads paved, lighting improved, and other civic activities.
Her volunteer activities in schools and community organizations helped broaden her interests. The two main goals; opportunities for Hispanics and the development of young people to their full potential remained. In 1969 her activities resulted in Anita Martinez being approached to run for Dallas City Council. She described herself as naive in matters of politics, but took on the challenge. This would be her opportunity to really make a change and contribute to the community. She was elected to Place nine by 52% of the vote. Anita Martinez was the first Hispanic to serve on the Dallas City Council. She served for two terms representing the West Dallas area from 1969-1973.
The West Dallas area had been a neglected area of the city. One of the items Anita set out to change was the lack of a recreation center. In keeping with her belief that the youth of the community needed guidance, a safe place to learn and play, she began a movement to build such a place in West Dallas. The result after a long struggle was the Anita Martinez Recreation Center. Other improvements to West Dallas included street repairs, the Los Barrios Unidos Clinic, the opening of a branch library, improved bus service, historic designation for Pike Park, and street lighting improvements. Although she was often criticized by opponents because she did not live in West Dallas, Anita represented the people of West Dallas in a positive and constructive way.
While serving on the Dallas City Council, Anita Martinez continued in other community services. She was one of the charter members of the National Center for Voluntary Action, serving in several capacities from 1969-1975. In 1974, she accepted a position as Peace Corps Advisor. Because of her knowledge of Spanish she visited many of the Latin American areas served by the Peace Corps on fact finding missions. From 1975-1984, Anita remained involved in state and local activities by serving on various boards and commissions.
Throughout all her activities, Anita continued to work to give children, teenagers, and young adults the tools to grow and become strong adults. These tools are; pride in oneself and culture, plus education. One of the main activities to promote this goal is the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico. Begun as a volunteer effort to display the customs of Mexican dance, the organization strove to give children the opportunity to learn and develop pride in themselves and their culture. As the company grew, the need for funding increased. A supporting non profit organization, the Friends of the Anita N. Martinez Recreation Center was formed in 1981, promoting the center and the Ballet Folklorico. The Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico has given participants a chance to learn pride in the Mexican culture, pride in themselves, and opportunity for fun. The company has toured and performed in many places including Mexico City.
Anita Martinez continues to serve the Anita N. Martinez Recreation Center and Ballet Folklorico. In addition, she serves on the boards for the Dallas Museum of Natural History, the Dallas Historical Society, and will co chair the Dallas Mayor's Committee for a Complete Census 1990. Past activities included Youth Leadership Conferences, women's organizations, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Dallas Restaurant Association, PTA, YWCA, and political action committees. While never seeking recognition for her volunteerism and contributions to the community, Anita Martinez has received many honors for her work.
Her energy and enthusiasm has inspired many people to promote the activities she believes to be important. People that have worked with her describe her as an incredible inspiration to the power of positive thinking, positive action, and community service. Anita has been called "the Defender of Dreams." She believes, without the dream, the goal, the inspired idea, nothing can be accomplished. As the list of activities current and past reveals Anita Martinez is continuing her work towards a brighter future for the people of Dallas, and the world thought love, hope, caring, and action.
Current Activities and Projects
1987-1988 Mayor's Hispanic Task Force
1987-1988 Board of Directors of TACA (Performing Arts of Dallas)
1987-1988 Mayor's Task Force for International Cultural Affairs
1988 Mistress of Ceremony - Ms. Camay, Dallas/Ft. Worth
1988 Community Advisory Council, El Centro Community College
1988-1989 Dallas Commission for International Cultural Affairs
1988- Remains active as founder of Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Inc. Constantly fundraising and seeking individual, community, and corporate support for the newly established dance company. The last three year's fundraisers have been cited as among the top ten in the city of Dallas.
1990-Mayor's Committee for a Complete Census
Dallas Historical Society Advisory Board
Dallas Museum of Natural History Board
Honors
Judge on the Regional Selection Panel of the President's Commission on White House Fellows, 1968-1969
Judge for Jesuit International Speech Tournament, 1970-1973
Judge for TACA, 1970,
Member of the Dallas Regional Selection Panel for the White House Fellows, 1971-1972, 1979-1980
Who's Who in American Women, 1972-73
Alcalde Proclamation, Mayor for a Day, San Antonio, Texas, July 1972. "La Cuidad de la Villita," Original name for San Antonio.
Texas Outstanding Youth Leader, 1972.
National Voluntary Service Advisory Council, Federal Sector, appointed by President Nixon, continued under Gerald Ford, 1973-1975
Texas Sports Hall of Fame, developmental fund work, 1974.
Dallas County Grand Jury Commissioner, 1977-1979. Appointed by Judge John Meade to select members for the Dallas County Grand Jury.
Awards
Dallas Times Herald, Ten Outstanding Women of the Year Award (Newsmakers and News Shapers) 1968-1970 : Honor Roll 1971
Citizens National Bank Worthy Women Award, 1969
Recognition Testimonial and Plaque from Five State Regional Youth Leadership, 1972. Mrs. Martinez originated the program
Zonta Award for Constructive Voluntary Contribution to Community and Civic Affairs, 1972.
La Association Guadalupana, Recognition Testimonial and Plaque, 1973.
"Companerismo Ecumerico Pastoral Y Organizaciones Civicas," Recognition Dinner and Plaque, May 1973
Federacion de Organizaciones Mexicanas, Recognition Fiesta and Plaque, September 1973.
Los Barrios Unidos Clinica, Recognition Dinner and Plaque, September 1973.
Appreciation Plaque for dedicated service from staff and Advisory Council of the Anita Nanez Martinez Recreation Center, 1976
Dallas Mexican Chamber of Commerce, Recognition Award for Citizen of the Year, 1976
Judge for 1976 National Volunteer Activist Awards, 1977.
Certificate of Appreciation for Exceptional and Distinguished Volunteer Service from the State of Texas, Governor Mark Wihte, August 1984
Certificate of Merit from Muscular Dystrophy and related Neuro-Muscular Diseases, Jerry Lewis, National Chairman, 1984.
J C Penny Golden Rule Award for Volunteer Service, 1987.
Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, 1988.
Outstanding Volunteer Award, Volunteer Center, 1988.
Selected for inclusion in the Library of Human Resources of the American Bicentennial Research Institute, 1976.
Recreation Hall of Fame, Dallas Park and Recreation Department, 1984.
1986-1988 "Tex-Mex" Gala voted one of the top ten fundraising events in Dallas.
Dallas Morning News "High Profile" interview
Past Activities and Projects
Dallas Restaurant Association, Women's Auxiliary, President, 1968.
Board Member of the National Center for Volunteer Action, (Private Sector), appointed by President Nixon, 1969-1973.
Member of the Dallas City Council, May 1969-May 1973
Goals for Dallas, 1969. (Designs for the City).
YMCA Metro Board, 1969.
Introduced the need for physical improvements at Pike Park, 1969.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra performed for a predominately Mexican-American audience scheduled at Pike Park, Cultural Achievement accomplished by Ms. Martinez, 1970.
Dallas Voluntary Action Center, Vice President, 1971-1973.
Women's Council of Dallas, Texas, 1971.
Dedication of Project Pride, intersection of Cedar Springs, Moody, and Harry Hines (Little Mexico). Initiated beautification, ribbon cutting, and gace a short history of Little Mexico, April 20, 1972.
Dallas Youth Adult Institute, General Council Member, 1972.
Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, Founder and former Board Member, 1973.
North Texas Council of Governments, 1973.
National Fashion Presentation by Estee Lauder, 1973
Served on Peace Corps Committee, interviewing host countries, prime ministers, Peace Corp Directors, staff, and benefactors; especially Peace Corp Volunteers, 1973-1975
Judge for Cotton Bowl Basketball Queen Contest sponsered by Dr. Pepper, 1973
Tejas Girl Scout Council, 1974-1975
Amigos de las Americas, Board of Directors, 1974.
Dallas Independent School District Textbook Advisory Council, 1974-1975.
Judge for Miss Teen America Contest, sponsored by Dr. Pepper, 1974.
Member of the Board of Trustees, Children's Medical Center, 1984.
Member of former Governor William B. Clements, Hispanics Business Leaders Committee, 1984
Church Women's United, Chairman of the Day, to obtain speakers and plan programs, 1984.
Dallas County Community Action Committee, Inc. Board of Directors, Food Bank Program, 1984.
Dallas Historical Society, Committee for History of Dallas Women, 1984.
Juvenile Crime Prevention, Resource person for Rev. David Kyser, 1984.
Board of Directors for Texas Senior Games for Fun and Fitness, Governors Commission on Physical Fitness, 1984.
Marillac Senior Social Center, Steering Committee for Fund Raising, 1984.
President of the Walnut Hill Home Owners Association, 1984.
Fundraiser for TACA. (Performing Arts of Dallas, the Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Opera, Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Ballet.) 1984.
Former Texas candidate for the position of United States Treasurer, 1983.
Dallas Symphony, Board of Directors, 1984.
Anita N. Martinez Recreation Center included in Bond Program for 1.968 million dollars to make the largest recreation center in the city of Dallas, serving 21,000 people per month. Ms. Martinez instrumental in this accomplishment. 1985
Served Dallas Independent School District Executive Committee of the School Volunteer Program, 1974.
Helped secure funding for OEO for the opening of Human Resources Development Project. Also made Channel 8, WFAA-TV, television commercial for program participation, 1984.
From the guide to the Anita Martinez Collection MA80-1., (Texas/Dallas History & Archives, Dallas Public Library)
