Marty Martinez’ Top Mentoring Moments

by Marty Martinez

Throughout my life, I’ve been lucky enough to have had mentors in my life as well as to be a mentor to others.  I’d like to share some of these relationships in my Top Ten Mentoring Moments! 

Mentoring Moment #10

At 14 years of age, my mother had me involved in Latino youth leadership programs. She believed, rightfully so, that 

I should take advantage of any additional support and programs that might help me prepare for my future. It’s through that involvement that I met Delia Garcia and began a peer to peer mentoring relationship. Delia is an amazing woman who has accomplished so much including being the first Latina elected as a state representative in Kansas and now working at the National Educational Association in Washington, D.C. I have learned so much from her. Most importantly, I learned that every challenge is a new opportunity to forge ahead and work that much harder to succeed. Delia was a mentor when I was younger and continues to be a mentor to me today.  

Mentoring Moment #9

Over 10 years ago, I had the privilege of going door to door in support of a candidate for state representative who had prioritized issues that I cared about in the community. Meeting voters and talking to them about Linda Dorcena Forry and the issues she cared about only further led me to see Linda as someone I admired and respected. Over the years, I have grown to see Linda as a mentor not only to someone like me but to many other leaders of color in our community who are striving to make a difference in Boston and beyond. I continue to learn every day from Linda’s desire to make Boston an even better place to live, work and raise a family. 

I’ll be sharing more of these moments over the next few weeks. These stories show the kind of relationships that I want to make sure young people across the Commonwealth can have. It’s the reason I put on my helmet and get on my bike each fall for the Rodman Ride for Kids!  I hope you’ll join me in fueling this movement by donating to me through my ride page.