Embedded Files
By: Taylor Franco
Chicana Feminist, Activist, & Icon
Chicana Feminist, Activist, & Icon
Sally V. Martinez
Eastside Journal, June 9, 1976
About Sally V. Martinez
About Sally V. Martinez
Personal Life
Sally Martinez was born on September 9th, 1934. Throughout her lifetime, Martinez exhibited strong leadership in the various positions she held. In addition to her role as a leader, she was a wife to her husband Richard Martinez, and a mother to her children Lorene, Richard II, and Sharon.
NWC Role
Sally Martinez was the fourth Alternate Delegate from California to the 1977 National Women's Conference in Houston, Texas and one of three Co-Chairwomen who facilitated the California State Meeting.
Leadership
Leadership
California Coordinating Committee
California Coordinating Committee
The coordinating committee for the International Women's Years California State Conference held an outreach program on May 20th, 1977 at the University of California, Irvine to discuss issues affecting women. Here, women were encouraged to attend the California State IWY Conference the following month in preparation for the National Women's Conference.
The coordinating committee for the International Women's Years California State Conference held an outreach program on May 20th, 1977 at the University of California, Irvine to discuss issues affecting women. Here, women were encouraged to attend the California State IWY Conference the following month in preparation for the National Women's Conference.
Sally Martinez was the co-chairwoman of the California State Coordinating Committee and the keynote speaker for the outreach program. In these positions, she played a crucial role in facilitating and coordinating the state's participation at the national conference.
Sally Martinez was the co-chairwoman of the California State Coordinating Committee and the keynote speaker for the outreach program. In these positions, she played a crucial role in facilitating and coordinating the state's participation at the national conference.
California State IWY Conference
California State IWY Conference
The California State IWY Conference was held June 16th-19th, 1977 at the University of Southern California. At this meeting, the discussion of issues affecting California women continued, and a slate of delegates for the upcoming national conference in Houston, Texas was elected.
The California State IWY Conference was held June 16th-19th, 1977 at the University of Southern California. At this meeting, the discussion of issues affecting California women continued, and a slate of delegates for the upcoming national conference in Houston, Texas was elected.
Sally played a vital role here as the co-chairwoman of the conference. When disputes over the validity of votes cast to elect the delegation arose, Sally was one of the few to oversee a third party recount.
Sally played a vital role here as the co-chairwoman of the conference. When disputes over the validity of votes cast to elect the delegation arose, Sally was one of the few to oversee a third party recount.
"California is the leader in the nation and we intend to go to Houston with a united slate to continue that leadership. We must participate, make resolutions and go on to the national convention."
"California is the leader in the nation and we intend to go to Houston with a united slate to continue that leadership. We must participate, make resolutions and go on to the national convention."
-Sally V. Martinez, Independent, 6/18/1977
-Sally V. Martinez, Independent, 6/18/1977
Additional Leadership
Additional Leadership
*California IWY Executive Committee (1977)*
*California IWY Nominating Committee (1977)*
*Commission Chairwoman for the L.A. County Commission on the Status of Women (1977)*
*Commissioner for the L.A. County Commission on the Status of Women (1981)*
"We almost didn't get together to send a united delegation and strong resolutions to Houston. The stalling tactics at the closing session were very effective. And believe me, I would think two, three, four, five times again about ever doing another conference. Never have I been so verbally abused and intimidated. But it was a great experience."
"We almost didn't get together to send a united delegation and strong resolutions to Houston. The stalling tactics at the closing session were very effective. And believe me, I would think two, three, four, five times again about ever doing another conference. Never have I been so verbally abused and intimidated. But it was a great experience."
-Sally V. Martinez, Independent, 6/23/1977
-Sally V. Martinez, Independent, 6/23/1977
Chicana Activism
Chicana Activism
Check out the button Sally donated to the Smithsonian!
The obstacles that the Chicana Movement endured in its effort to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with illustrates the complexity of intersectional challenges. Chicana women battle the dual challenge of identifying with a marginalized community in addition to their struggle for gender equality.
* * *
Well aware of the inequalities minority women experience, Sally actively advocated for the advancement of Chicanas and other minority women.
"We recognize the clout that (Anglo) women's organizations have. Although they have been insensitive toward minorities in the past, we're coming to terms on some common goals."
"We recognize the clout that (Anglo) women's organizations have. Although they have been insensitive toward minorities in the past, we're coming to terms on some common goals."
-Sally V. Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 9/23/1981
-Sally V. Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 9/23/1981
Paving the Way for Mexican American Businesswomen
Paving the Way for Mexican American Businesswomen
Sally Martinez, among other Mexican American women, led California's first business women's conference. The conference's primary goal was to bring women in business together.
Martinez wasn't one to take a backseat in the campaign for gender equity. She spoke as a panelist at the conference on Management Techniques to help better prepare Chicana women for the professional world. Here, she contributed to the collaborative effort of assisting women in obtaining equal footing with men as entrepreneurs.
Sources
Sources
Barbara Bradley, “Conference to see ERA dissension,” Independent, June 16, 1977, https://newscomwc.newspapers.com/image/721939963; International Women’s Year California State Meeting, Final Report to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year, June 1977, pg. 4.
Barbara Bradley, “ERA chaos abounds at women's conference,” Independent, June 18, 1977, https://newscomwc.newspapers.com/image/721940840
Barbara Bradley, “IWY confab over, but debate lingers,” Independent, June 23, 1977, https://newscomwc.newspapers.com/image/72194317.
CA, U.S., Marriage Index, 1949-1959, ancestry.com.
“CHICANAS: Women’s Movement,” The Los Angeles Times, September 23, 1981, pg. 24, Newspapers.com.
Guerra & Gutierrez Mortuary, “Richard Martinez Obituary,” accessed January 23, 2022, https://www.guerragutierrez.com/obituary/richard-martinez.
International Women’s Year California State Meeting, Final Report to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year, June 1977, pg. 3, 4, 94, 109, 165, 173.
“MEXICAN-AMERICAN Women hold States’ first business contab,” Eastside Journal, June 9, 1976, https://newscomwc.newspapers.com/image/710392608.
Noel Swann, “War vowed on rapists: Women’s commission asks self-defense classes,” Independent, December 13, 1977, https://newscomwc.newspapers.com/image/722106976.
UCI to Sponsor Conference for Women Saturday," The Los Angeles Times, May 20, 1977.
U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, ancestry.com; Nuwber, “Sally V. Martinez from Monterey Park, CA,” accessed January 23, 2011, https://nuwber.com/person/563a531a7686b0176bfe1bb6.
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