Martha Bergmark facts for kids
Martha Jane Bergmark is a lawyer and civil rights champion from Mississippi. She is famous for helping people get fair legal help through groups that offer "civil legal aid." These groups provide legal services to people who cannot afford a lawyer. Martha Bergmark has worked at local, state, and national levels to make sure everyone has access to justice.
She helped start Southeast Mississippi Legal Services in 1978. This group gave legal help to people in nine counties. Later, she worked for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association in Washington D.C. She also led the Legal Services Corporation, which helps fund legal aid programs across the United States. In 2003, she returned to Mississippi and co-founded the Mississippi Center for Justice. In 2011, President Barack Obama honored her as a "Champion of Change" for her work. This award recognized her efforts to improve fairness for all people, especially in terms of race and money.
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Early Life and Education
Martha Jane Bergmark grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. Her father was a minister and her mother was a choir director. When she was young, racial segregation was common in Jackson. This meant Black and white people were kept separate by laws.
Getting Involved in Civil Rights
As a teenager, Martha and her parents became involved in the civil rights movement. They also supported new government programs designed to help African Americans improve their lives. During summers, she volunteered with programs like Head Start and Upward Bound. These programs helped children from less fortunate backgrounds. Her high school, Murrah High School, became integrated (meaning Black and white students attended together) while she was there. Martha volunteered to help new Black students adjust. These experiences inspired her to work for racial and economic justice.
College and Law School
Martha was a very good student. In 1966, she was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar for Mississippi. She went to Oberlin College and then earned her law degree from University of Michigan Law School in 1973. While in law school, she gained experience by working at legal aid organizations in Mississippi.
Family Life
Martha met her husband, Elliott Andalman, in law school. They have two sons, Aaron and David. Her son, David Andalman, co-directed a movie called American Milkshake. This movie was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013.
A Career for Justice
After law school in 1973, Martha Bergmark returned to Mississippi. She started a law practice in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with her husband and two friends. They offered legal help for both civil and criminal cases.
Helping People in Mississippi
In 1978, the government provided more money for legal aid. Martha left her law practice to start Southeast Mississippi Legal Services. She was the first executive director of this organization. It provided free or low-cost legal help to people in nine counties.
Working in Washington, D.C.
In 1987, Martha moved to Washington D.C. There, she worked for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. She later became the president of the Legal Services Corporation. This important organization helps manage federal money for legal aid programs across the United States.
Founding the Mississippi Center for Justice
In 2003, Martha moved back to Mississippi. She co-founded the Mississippi Center for Justice. She was the first president and CEO of this center until 2013. The center works to fight poverty and discrimination in Mississippi.
Leading Voices for Civil Justice
In 2013, Martha became the founding executive director of Voices for Civil Justice. This group helps explain to the public how civil legal aid improves the lives of people who are struggling. She retired from this role in August 2021.
Awards and Recognition
Martha Bergmark has received many awards for her dedication to civil rights and legal aid.
- She received the Kutak-Dodds Prize in 1990.
- In 2010, she won the American Bar Association Section of Litigation's John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award.
- In 2011, President Barack Obama recognized her as a "Champion of Change" at the White House.
- She has also received honorary doctorates from Millsaps College and Oberlin College in 2012.
- In 2018, she received the Presidential Scholars Roosevelt “Rosey” Thompson award.
