Martha Martinez Gomez was born in Tampico, Mexico and lived in Monterrey, Mexico until arriving in Houston at the age of one with her Mother, Maria Armendariz. She was raised in the neighborhoods of Magnolia and Kashmere Gardens and attended the public schools of Houston Independent School District. She attended Barbara Jordan High School for Careers and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the Bauer College of Business University of
Houston in 1996.

Martha serves as an advocacy coordinator for Child Advocates, Inc. and works with volunteers dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse in Harris County. In addition, she also served as a volunteer for ten years before joining the Child Advocates, Inc. team. Her realm of experience has focused on issues that affect children and families, such as poverty, health, immigration and abuse.

She had the opportunity to work in Houston’s local city government as a community liaison and with the federal government as a 2000 Census Oversight Committee Member focusing on the undercounted communities. Additionally, Martha did local grassroots work within a long-standing local community center, The Ripley House. She then moved on to the Children’s Defense Fund where she worked alongside champions that established policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation.

As an immigrant, Martha understands the importance community-based organizations and committed mentors play in the development of children and their families; therefore volunteering and mentoring has been a priority in her life. She currently serves as the president of a local 501(c)3 organization, Navidad En El Barrio, and has been a volunteer since 2002.

It has truly been an honor for Martha to have the opportunity to volunteer for such organizations and particularly with Navidad En El Barrio. Not only is she working alongside her husband, Retired Houston Police Officer, Izzy Gomez and her children and grandchildren but she is also able to see the stability and joy that these programs bring to the lives of children and families. It has also been amazing to see the generosity of the human spirit and the dedication that the Houston
community has towards the vulnerable in our community.

Martha recognizes that throughout her life, God has placed teachers, mentors and guides along her journey to guide and protect her and she is honored and thankful to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to her. She prays that God gives her the strength, guidance and wisdom to continue this work for many years to come.