Jessica Martinez is the 2023 Omar Bonderud Award recipient

Jessica Martinez is this year’s Omar Bonderud Award recipient. Martinez was recognized for her work advancing human rights in Bloomington and beyond.

Martinez, an equity specialist in the Bloomington Public Schools Office of Education Equity, has served on numerous committees including Bloomington Cultural Arts Support, Viva! Festival Latino and Bloomington Pride. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Martinez supported numerous COVID-19 vaccination sites. She is a volunteer board member with Oasis for Youth and co-facilitator of the ComUNIDAD Latinx Parent group.

“Being the first Latina recipient of the Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award is empowering,” Jessica 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.”

The Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award is presented by the Human Rights Commission to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to ensuring the rights of people in Bloomington. For more information, visit blm.mn/omar.