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Maria Martin's name has been etched in the annals of media, particularly in the realm of radio. She is celebrated as the indefatigable educator who championed the cause of Latinos, Latinas, and indigenous people. Born in Mexico in 1951, she was raised and educated in the United States, where she discovered her knack for communication and a fervor for bridging the language divide within the Latino community.
Maria Emilia Martin, a graduate in journalism from the University of Texas, furthered her quest for knowledge and professional growth at Ohio University, earning a master's degree in her field.
Proud of her Latin heritage, Maria was part of a group of determined women who sought to shine a light on their roots, a movement known as Mujeres por la Raza. Her voice and spirit resonated deeply with the people, leading to an invitation to join the esteemed KBBF radio station in Santa Clara, California. It was here that Maria found her true calling as a broadcaster, hosting the show Somos Chicanas.
"I discovered KBBF myself when I turned on the radio and it was the first time I heard something that reflected my reality as a bilingual and multicultural Chicana."
Like many others in the industry, Maria started producing her show as a volunteer and gradually worked her way up to become the station's first Latina director.
This was a significant achievement for a Hispanic woman at that pivotal moment in history, as she described it: "We were producers of environmentalist radio some days and other days we didn't know what we were doing, we had an agenda, which was to allow women to listen to the radio to have access to information. We had several ideas that included music, poetry, and guests for the program."
Upon leaving KBBF, The Voice of Your Community, Martin joined the National Public Radio (NPR) team as editor of the national program. Later, she became the first editor of Latin American Affairs. Under this position, she covered the news of the Nicaraguan Revolution in 1980 and the California State legislature in the 1970s and 1980s.
"I tell my students that when people tell you their stories, they are giving you a gift, they are opening their hearts and souls, and you have to let them know that you appreciate it, in whatever way."
In 1992, with the support of the Ford Foundation, Maria founded Latino USA, an English-language radio station based at the University of Texas. Her passion for creating opportunities for Latinos led her to move to Guatemala in 2003 to establish the media center, Gracias Vida. While there, she produced the bilingual program "Después de las Guerras," which focused on the impact of the wars in Central America during the 1980s and 1990s.
Maria used her extensive experience to train journalists in Latin America, Central America, and Asia. Additionally, she taught community radio production at the Center for Justice, Hope, and Peace. In 2020, Maria published her memoir, "Crossing Borders, Building Bridges: The Heart of a Journalist in Latin America."
In her book, she shares her experience of racism and sexism while dedicating her work to training other Latino journalists. Over more than five decades, María dedicated herself to journalism, receiving several awards and earning a place in the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She reported on various topics, including entertainment, politics, and community news.
Maria passed away in December 2023 at the age of 72, leaving behind an invaluable news legacy and a wealth of community training hours. Her contribution will forever remain a part of the history of Latinas who devoted their lives to creating meaningful change in the Latino community.