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

Martinez founded a renowned ballet folklorico and was the first Mexican-American woman elected to the Dallas City Council.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:28am

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A cinematic painting of an older woman standing alone on a Dallas street corner, the warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, capturing the quiet dignity and determination of a trailblazing community leader.A portrait of Martinez's pioneering legacy as a civic leader and community advocate in Dallas.Dallas Today

Anita Nanez Martinez, a pioneering civic leader in Dallas who served on the city council and founded a renowned ballet folklorico, has died at the age of 100. Martinez was the first Mexican-American woman elected to the Dallas City Council, where she served a four-year term starting in 1969 and advocated for the Hispanic community, especially children, in the west Dallas neighborhood known as 'Little Mexico'.

Why it matters

Martinez's legacy as a trailblazer and community leader in Dallas is significant, as she broke barriers as the first Mexican-American woman on the city council and used her platform to improve the lives of Hispanic residents, particularly through her work in the arts and healthcare. Her passing marks the end of an era for Dallas politics and community activism.

The details

During her time on the city council and beyond, Martinez became a vocal advocate for the Hispanic community in west Dallas, helping to open the Los Barrios Unidos community health clinic and creating the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico to encourage children to engage with traditional Mexican dance and culture. The Anita N. Martinez Recreation Center in west Dallas was also named in her honor.

  • Martinez was born in 1925 and lived in the west Dallas neighborhood of 'Little Mexico'.
  • She 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 city council from 1969 to 1973.
  • The Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico was founded during Martinez's lifetime to promote Mexican dance and culture.
  • Martinez passed away on April 14, 2026 at the age of 100.

The players

Anita Nanez Martinez

A pioneering civic leader in Dallas who served on the city council and founded the renowned Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

Al Martinez

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

Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico

A cultural arts organization founded by Martinez to encourage children to engage with traditional Mexican dance and culture.

Los Barrios Unidos

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

Anita N. Martinez Recreation Center

A recreation center in west Dallas named in honor of Martinez's advocacy and community work.

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The takeaway

Martinez's legacy as a pioneering civic leader and advocate for the Hispanic community in Dallas will continue to inspire future generations. Her work in founding the Ballet Folklorico and opening the Los Barrios Unidos clinic demonstrated her deep commitment to empowering and uplifting her community, even as the first Mexican-American woman on the city council.