Anita Martinez

About

Notable for being the first woman of Mexican-American heritage to serve on the Dallas, Texas City Council, this Republican public official held office from 1969 until 1973. She also founded the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, a community organization that promoted Hispanic culture and improved the lives of disadvantaged youth.

Before Fame

While assisting her restaurant owner husband with his El Fenix establishment, she volunteered for such organizations as the Jesuit Parents' Club and the Dallas Metropolis YWCA.

Trivia

During the 1970s, she helped establish the West Dallas Anita Martinez Recreation Center.

Family Life

She was born and raised in a poverty-stricken neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. Her marriage to Albert Martinez resulted in four children.

Associated With

She and fellow public official Annette Strauss both broke through barriers in Dallas, Texas, by becoming, respectively, the first Hispanic councilwoman and one of the first female and Jewish mayors of the city.