Longtime Dallas Advocate and Trailblazing Council Member Nina Martinez Dies at 100

Martinez's legacy of advocacy extended beyond her time as the city's first elected council member of Mexican descent.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:05pm

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Nina Martinez, a pioneering civic leader in Dallas, Texas, has passed away at the age of 100. Martinez made history in 1969 when she became the first elected city council member of Mexican descent, using her platform to advocate for the Hispanic community and open important community institutions like the Los Barrios Unidos health clinic and the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

Why it matters

Martinez's life and work represented a significant milestone for representation and advocacy in Dallas politics, as she broke barriers as the city's first Mexican-American woman elected to the city council. Her advocacy and community leadership had a lasting impact, particularly through the cultural institutions she founded that continue to serve Dallas residents today.

The details

Born in 1925, Martinez grew up in the west Dallas neighborhood known as "Little Mexico". She married into the famed El Fenix restaurant family and raised four children. During and beyond her four-year term on the Dallas City Council, Martinez became a tireless advocate for the Hispanic community, focusing on improving the lives of local children. She helped open the Los Barrios Unidos community health clinic and created the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico to encourage youth engagement in traditional Mexican dance and culture.

  • Nina Martinez was born in 1925.
  • Martinez was elected to the Dallas City Council in 1969, becoming the first Mexican-American woman to serve on the council.
  • Martinez served a four-year term on the Dallas City Council.
  • The Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico was founded by Martinez.
  • Martinez passed away on April 14, 2026, at the age of 100.

The players

Nina Martinez

A pioneering civic leader in Dallas, Texas who became the first elected city council member of Mexican descent in 1969. She was a lifelong advocate for the Hispanic community, founding important institutions like the Los Barrios Unidos health clinic and the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

Al Martinez

Nina Martinez's husband, who came from the famed El Fenix restaurant family.

Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico

A cultural arts organization founded by Nina Martinez to encourage youth engagement in traditional Mexican dance and culture.

Los Barrios Unidos

A community health clinic in west Dallas that Nina Martinez helped open.

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The takeaway

Nina Martinez's life and legacy represent the power of community advocacy and representation in local politics. Her pioneering work as Dallas' first elected Mexican-American council member paved the way for greater diversity in city leadership, while her founding of cultural institutions like the Ballet Folklorico ensured her impact would be felt for generations to come.