Jessica Martinez recognized for human rights contributions

Jessica Martinez, Office of Educational Equity equity specialist, was recently given the City of Bloomington's 2023 Omar Bonderud Award. The award is presented by the Human Rights Commission to a person or organization that has made significant contributions to ensuring the rights of people in Bloomington. The city honored Martinez at an award presentation during the Dec. 4 city council meeting.

Martinez works to support youth, enhance multicultural and interracial opportunities and promotes the overall wellbeing of students. Outside of work, she has supported the Hispanic/Latinx community through the pandemic’s hardships and helps plan events like Bloomington Pride Festival and Viva! Festival Latino.

“Being the first Latina recipient of the Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award is empowering,” Martinez said. “I firmly believe that I am community made, and if it wasn’t for the amazing Bloomington community, this would not be possible. I am thankful for the students I work with, the families that entrust me with their children and the incredible support system that surrounds me. This award means love, it means humanity, it means unity, and it means we still have a lot of work to do.”