My Bio
Martha Sanchez: A Career in Advocacy and Community Leadership
Martha Sánchez is recognized as an activist, educator, and therapist whose impact extends throughout South-Central Los Angeles and beyond. Born in Jalisco, México, Martha’s early life was marked by challenges including limited resources, domestic violence, and various forms of abuse. Her mother’s strength and determination to provide a better future for her seven children made a lasting impression on Martha. When her mother emigrated to the United States, Martha, at only twelve years old, assumed responsibility for her siblings in Mexico. This formative experience instilled in her a strong sense of duty, resilience, and empathy, laying the groundwork for her future advocacy and leadership.
In 1995, Martha’s family faced a series of personal, health, and political difficulties in Mexico that prompted the family to migrate to the United States in search of security and opportunity. The migration process was fraught with danger and trauma, including exposure to human trafficking, which added to the difficulties of their transition.
Although Martha initially maintained a low profile due to her undocumented status, her commitment to community engagement soon surfaced in 2003, when she noticed health issues among her children, at the 28th Street Elementary School, and traced the cause to pollution from a nearby plating company. Despite initial setbacks and dismissive responses from school authorities, Martha demonstrated commitment to protect children in her community. After eight years of efforts Martha’s work led to the closure of the polluting company, environmental cleanup, and the development of affordable housing on the site.
Throughout her career, Martha has focused on empowering mothers and community members through targeted training and political education. Her initiatives have enabled participants to engage in civic processes and advocate for their needs. By addressing racial disparities and promoting economic justice, Martha has mobilized efforts to raise California’s minimum wage, advocating to protect workers’ rights, supporting economic stability for families, expanding access to educational, social, and housing resources, led programs to increase school safety, and championed sustainable development for families facing socioeconomic challenges.
Her work has fostered collaboration among organizations, city officials, labor unions, and residents. She has focused on expanding the construction of new schools, housing, enhancing community safety, and encouraging city investment in underserved neighborhoods.
Driven by perseverance, Martha Sanchez remains dedicated to impactful advocacy and leadership. She aims to inspire others to pursue resources and reforms for lasting community improvement.
Martha Sánchez: Una carrera en defensa y liderazgo comunitario
Martha Sánchez es reconocida como activista, educadora y terapeuta cuyo impacto se extiende más allá del Sur-centro de Los Ángeles. Nacida en Jalisco, México, la infancia de Martha estuvo marcada por desafíos económicos y abuso. Martha, con solo doce años, asumió la responsabilidad de cuidar de sus hermanos en México cuando su madre emigro a los Estados Unidos. Esta experiencia formativa inculcó en Martha un fuerte sentido del deber, resiliencia, empatía, y bases de justicia social para su trabajo de liderazgo futuro.
En 1995, la familia de Martha enfrentó una serie de dificultades económicas, de salud y políticas que llevaron a emigrar a Estados Unidos en busca de seguridad y oportunidades económicas. Martha enfrento un proceso plagado de peligros, traumas, incluyendo la exposición a la trata de personas, en su transición hacia los Estados Unidos.
Aunque al inicio Martha mantuvo un perfil bajo por la falta de documentos, su compromiso con la comunidad salió a la luz en el 2003, cuando detectó problemas de salud en los estudiantes de la escuela primaria de la calle 28. Martha encontró que la causa era la contaminación de empresa al cruzar la calle de la escuela. A pesar de los contratiempos iniciales y las respuestas despectivas de las autoridades escolares, Martha se dedicó a proteger a los niños de su comunidad. Tras ocho años de esfuerzos, el trabajo de Martha llevó al cierre de la empresa contaminante, la limpieza ambiental y el desarrollo de viviendas asequibles en ese lugar.
A lo largo de su carrera, Martha se ha empoderado a madres y miembros de la comunidad con educación política y acción directa. Sus iniciativas han fomentado la participación del público en procesos cívicos y defensa de sus necesidades. Abordando la desigualdad racial y promoviendo la justicia económica, Martha ha movilizado esfuerzos en el aumento del salario mínimo, defendiendo los derechos laborales, la estabilidad económica de las familias, ampliando el acceso a recursos educativos, sociales y de vivienda, liderando programas para la seguridad escolar y promovido el desarrollo socioeconómico de las familias.
Su trabajo ha fomentado la colaboración entre organizaciones, políticos, sindicatos y residentes. Abogando por la construcción de escuelas, viviendas, mejorando la seguridad comunitaria y la inversión de recursos en comunidades pobres.
Impulsada por la perseverancia, Martha Sánchez está comprometida a inspirar a otros a buscar recursos y reformas para una mejora comunitaria duradera.
My Key Issues
Housing: Gentrification & Displacement
Our community has been negatively impacted by the end of land use covenants leading to the destruction of affordable housing options. "Gentrification is not just about buildings and businesses; it's about people. We need to ensure that our development policies prioritize affordable housing and protect the rights of our residents. I will fight for policies that prevent displacement and support our community's growth without sacrificing its soul." Martha is committed to protecting long-term residents from being pushed out by rising rents and unchecked development. Neighborhoods in District 9, including parts of Downtown Los Angeles, are facing rapid gentrification, putting low-income households at risk of displacement. She supports policies that expand affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, and ensure that economic growth benefits all residents, not just newcomers (Urban Displacement Project).
Economic Development: Business economic decline
Economic investment is crucial for long-term economic growth our community is facing challenges to retain and attract business. "Economic decline is a challenge we must face head-on. I will work to attract new businesses, support local entrepreneurs, and create job opportunities for our residents. By investing in our local economy, we can ensure that everyone has a chance to thrive." District 9 faces significant economic challenges, including higher than average poverty rates and unemployment. Martha is focused on supporting small businesses, creating good paying jobs, and investing in workforce development programs that empower families. By fostering collaboration between community members, business leaders, and local government, she aims to reduce poverty and build a more equitable, sustainable local economy (Project Equity; Public Policy Institute of California)
Public Safety and Community Well-being
"Public safety is a fundamental right. We need to build trust between our community and law enforcement. I will advocate for initiatives that ensure no one is killed for experiencing a mental health crisis. I will advocate to increase funding for mental health services, and support prevention programs that address the root causes of crime. Together, we can create safer neighborhoods for our children and families." While violent crime in Los Angeles has seen a 14% decrease in 2024 compared to the previous year, property crime rates have increased by 4.7%. In District 9, residents continue to face safety concerns, particularly related to property crimes. Drawing on her extensive education in Community Planning, Economic Development, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, and Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as her experience as a mental health clinician and adjunct professor at LA Mission College, Martha is committed to creating safe, thriving neighborhoods. She invests in youth programs, mental health services, and community resources that prevent crime before it happens, while building trust, empowering residents, and strengthening local networks so families can feel secure without fear of enforcement or displacement.
Homelessness
"Everyone deserves a safe place to live. I’m committed to expanding affordable housing, providing wraparound services, and strengthening tenant protections so residents can move from crisis to stability and thrive." Martha’s approach to tackling homelessness combines compassion, practical support, and systemic change. She advocates for increased investment in affordable housing developments, transitional housing programs, and wraparound services that address mental health, substance use, and job readiness. By coordinating with local nonprofits, community organizations, and city agencies, she aims to provide comprehensive resources that help residents move from crisis to stability. Martha also emphasizes preventative strategies, such as tenant protections and eviction prevention programs, to reduce the number of people entering homelessness. Her extensive background in Community Planning, Economic Development, and Mental Health equips her to design solutions that are both effective and equitable, ensuring that every resident has a safe place to live and the support needed to thrive.
Protecting Children from Environmental Hazards
"When my children were exposed to harmful chemicals at their elementary school, I realized how urgent it was to protect our kids and families from environmental hazards. That experience led me to organize our community, shut down a dangerous company, and fight for School Safe Zones, pollution monitoring, and stronger protections against toxic waste. Every child in District 9 deserves to learn and grow in a healthy, safe environment, and I will keep fighting to make that a reality." Martha became a vocal community organizer after uncovering environmental hazards near her children’s school. Her leadership fueled an eight-year campaign that ultimately shut down a dangerous company, protecting the health of students and families. Building on this experience, she now advocates for the creation of “School Safe Zones” across District 9, with real-time air quality monitoring, stricter pollution controls, and educational programs. Martha also champions a Community Right to Know, ensuring residents have access to pollution data and potential health risks, while proposing a local environmental watchdog group to monitor compliance. She takes a Zero Tolerance approach to toxic waste, calling for stronger penalties for illegal dumping and stricter enforcement of environmental laws. In addition, Martha supports Industry Accountability, creating plans to make local industry responsible for their emissions and assisting businesses in transitioning to cleaner energy practices. By combining grassroots activism, policy advocacy, and community education, Martha works to ensure that every child in District 9 can learn and grow in a healthy, safe environment while promoting a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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1 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301, USA