Vilma Socorro Martínez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vilma Martínez
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| 49th United States Ambassador to Argentina | |
| In office September 18, 2009 – July 4, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Earl Wayne |
| Succeeded by | Noah Mamet |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 17, 1943 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Stuart Singer |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Texas, Austin (BA) Columbia University (JD) |
Vilma Socorro Martínez, born on October 17, 1943, is an American lawyer, a champion for civil rights, and a diplomat. She served as the U.S. ambassador to Argentina from 2009 to 2013. She was appointed to this important role by President Barack Obama.
Contents
About Vilma Martínez
Her Early Life
Vilma Socorro Martínez was born in San Antonio, Texas. Her parents, Marina and Salvador Martínez, were Mexican-American. She went to the University of Texas at Austin for her first degree. After that, she studied law at Columbia Law School and finished in 1967.
Her Legal Career
After law school, Vilma Martínez joined the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF). This group helps people who are poor or from minority groups. At LDF, she worked to protect their rights. She was also a lawyer for a very important case called Griggs v. Duke Power Company. This case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. It helped create the idea of affirmative action, which means making sure everyone has a fair chance at jobs and opportunities.
In 1970, Vilma Martínez started working for the New York State Division of Human Rights. There, she helped create new rules to protect the rights of workers.
Later, in 1971, she joined a law firm in New York City. She was one of the first women to join the board of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). This group works to protect the civil rights of Mexican Americans. In 1973, she became the president of MALDEF. She led a project to make sure the Voting Rights Act also protected Mexican Americans. In 1975, Congress agreed to this important change.
Vilma Martínez was also the main lawyer for a 1974 court case called Serna v. Portales. This case was about the right to a bilingual education for children who did not speak English. The court decided that schools must teach these students not only in English but also in their home languages. The decision also said that schools should have teachers and staff who understand the students' culture and language. This was a big step forward for many students.
From 1977 to 1981, Vilma Martínez was part of a group that helped choose people for ambassador jobs around the world. In 1982, she became a partner at a law firm called Munger, Tolles & Olson. She focused on solving problems between workers and companies. Since the 1990s, she has also advised the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
US Ambassador to Argentina
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In 2009, Vilma Socorro Martínez was chosen to be the United States Ambassador to Argentina. She was the first woman to hold this position for the United States in Buenos Aires. As ambassador, she helped manage important projects, like the NASA-CONAE project that launched the SAC-D satellite into space. She finished her work in Argentina on July 4, 2013.
Other Important Roles
Vilma Martínez has held many other important positions:
- From 1976 to 1990, she was on the Board of Regents for the University of California. She was even the Chairman from 1984 to 1986.
- She served on the boards of several large companies, including Anheuser-Busch, Fluor, Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, and Shell Oil.
- She was also on the boards of Sanwa Bank California and Bank of the West.
- She was a member of the Inter-American Dialogue, a group that discusses issues in the Americas.
- She was part of Walmart's Employment Advisory Panel.
Awards and Honors
Vilma Martínez has received many awards for her work:
- In 1976, she received the Samuel S. Beard Award for her great public service.
- In 1988, the University of Texas gave her a Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- She received the Margaret Brent Award from the American Bar Association.
- Columbia University honored her with its Medal for Excellence.
- In 2013, she received the Grand Cross of the Order of May from Argentina.
Personal Life
Vilma Socorro Martínez is married to Stuart Singer, who is also a lawyer. They have two sons, Carlos and Ricardo.
See also
In Spanish: Vilma Martínez para niños
- List of first women lawyers and judges in the United States
