Anita N. Martinez

Anita Nanez Martinez 1925-2026 “I knew that if I wanted my city, if I wanted my kids to grow up in a strong community that we had to help the weakest link get strong and that was West Dallas from my perspective, and I concentrated on that area”. As the first Mexican American person elected to the Dallas City Council (1969) she was able to use her voice and muscle on behalf of the working poor and the most vulnerable to get basic services, neighborhood improvements, and a permanent medical clinic, Los Barrios Unidos. Anita also lobbied the Dallas City Council for a recreation center and in 1975 Anita N. Martinez (ANM) Recreation Center opened. The first Rec center in West Dallas. Anita N. Martinez born Anita Nanez was the fifth of six children born to Jose Franco and Anita Mongaras Nanez. A fifth generation Texan raised in Dallas’ “Little Mexico”. Anita attended St. Ann’s Catholic School and graduated Crozier Technical High School. After high school she enrolled in SMU Downtown night school to learn secretarial skills. Hired by the Eighth Service Command Finance Department she was chosen from the secretarial pool to assist Colonel Krimm who needed a bilingual secretary. New Year’s Eve 1940 she met her future husband Alfred Martinez whose parents founded El Fenix Cafe. Anita left the workforce to marry (1946). The mother of four children she was actively involved in their daily lives, school, and extracurricular activities. With her youngest child in high school Anita moved forward with her own pursuits. 1967-1968 Dallas Restaurant Association Women’s Auxiliary, President. 1968 created the First Taste of Dallas. 1969-1973 Elected Dallas City Council Place 9 at large (served two terms). 1974 Appointed by President Richard M. Nixon along with six others to evaluate the Peace Corp Worldwide. She was given North Africa, Near East, Asia, and The Pacific. 1975 handed her report to President Gerald R. Ford. 1975 Anita N. Martinez Recreation Center opens. ANM Rec center ‘s Goal: Anita…” I would like for this Rec center to be like a United Nations because we had Mexican Americans, Black Americans, we had Indian Americans, we had Asian, we had poor whites. All poor people living in this area, and this Rec center could be a great example of United.” 1975 ANM Ballet Folklorico (ANMBF) offers dance ballet folklorico classes to the poor children of West Dallas. ANMBF celebrates its 51st Anniversary in 2026 and is one of the oldest Arts Organizations in Dallas. 1988 City bond program adds second floor to ANM REC Center. Anita spent the rest of her life advocating and raising money for ANM Ballet Folklorico and it became her new passion. 2009 ANM Ballet Folklorico resident company for the new AT&T Performing Arts Center. 2019 inducted to The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. 2022 Received SMU Doctor of Humane Letters degree, 83 years after enrolling in SMU night school (1943). Young Anita was influenced by a family of strong women who operated their own businesses while raising families during tough times. Anita’s mother had a beauty shop in the living room of their home to help bring money to the table. Anita loved Dallas and for eight decades the Honorable, Doctor Anita N. Martinez added immeasurably to our City’s Quality of Life. Radiant, Adventurous, Accessible, Anita’s childhood informed her life and was the road map she followed full circle. Anita is preceded in death by husband Alfred, son Rene Orlando. Survived by son Al Joseph, son Steve Dan, daughter Priscilla (husband Luis Fernandez, Sr.), grandson Luis Fernandez, granddaughter Ana (husband Noe Palacios), granddaughter Stefani (husband Kris Foster), great grandchildren Alejandra Moreno Palacios, Kale and Knox Foster. Calvary Hill Catholic Cemetery Celebration Monday, April 27, 2026. Visitation 10:00am, Rosary 10:30am, Mass 11:00am, Entombment 11:30am. Pallbearers: Gina Nanez, Luis Fernandez, Robert Amos Ramirez XIV, Jina McDaniel, Ibou Jobe, Juan Jose Lopez Rodriquez, Stefani Martinez Foster, Joe Ernest Nanez. In lieu of flowers help us continue Anita’s Fifty-Year Legacy nurturing youth and giving them the opportunity to realize their full potential. Please DONATE: www.anmbf.org/anitanmartinez