Goshen - Barbara Martinez could have easily become another statistic; she opted to become an exception, as well as a strong voice.
"You grow up in the Latin-American culture, and people just expect you to drop out of school and become pregnant with no goals," said Martinez, who has held the title of Confidential Secretary to the Orange County Sheriff, Carl DuBois, for the past six years. "When you don’t follow that path, it’s a big deal, a really big one."
The success story of Martinez can be traced back to the Bronx, where the Puerto Rican native was raised, along with four siblings, by a single mother. At times, living on park benches, while often going long stretches without food, Martinez grew up on public assistance. Everywhere she looked signs pointed to mere survival, sometimes sheer failure. Determined to make something of herself, she became one of the few in her high school graduating class to earn a Regent’s Diploma. Today, she holds a BA in Psychology from Marist College, where she graduated with Summa Cum Laude laurels. Despite the constant uncertainty of her childhood, she never allowed her pride to waver.
"I’m not at all ashamed of who I am and where I came from," recollected Martinez. "It allowed me to develop survival skills and made me into the person I am today."
That individual is also the wife to a man she has known for the past 17 years. Further, she is a mother of two young boys, ages two and five. The priority she places on her parental role is evident in one of her chief responsibilities as Secretary to the Sheriff. The Coordinator for Operation Safe Child, Martinez helps provide free identification cards to all children who reside in Orange County. The laminated photo assists authorities in locating an abducted or lost child. Martinez carries one in her own wallet of her eldest son, Jonah.
In addition to her Safe Child duties, she also serves as the Sheriff’s Administrative Assistant, handles all of the personnel issues of the deputies, as well as the ins and outs of the computer based programs.
"I do a little of everything and really enjoy it all," said Martinez, who was initially approached by DuBois for the position partially to be a representative for the Latin-American community, a population too often overlooked. "We are like one big family; it’s a place where I have grown up a lot, met many interesting people and really learned a great deal."
Referring to herself as a "career student," Martinez possesses an insatiable thirst for learning. Presently, her two adult education classes include Mandarin Chinese, along with Zumba, a Latin-American dance. She’s also contemplating being in front of the classroom, teaching Bilingual Studies for Project Nevaeh, parenting classes geared toward those who lose children to foster care, etc. A former member of the Middletown School Board, Martinez aspires to some day, once again, be the voice for those who so desperately need to be heard.
"There are so many parents out there in the Latin-American community who really care about their children and their education, but can’t get that message across because of the language barrier," said Martinez. "I am incredibly proud of where I come from (Puerto Rico) and that I am bilingual and can relate to anyone from my culture."
Thinking further, Martinez, who has returned to her native Puerto Rico land several times, added.
"I now want to learn even more about my heritage, something I increasingly appreciate as I get older, and give back to those who really need and deserve it," said Martinez. "Being Latin-American, you don’t have to be a statistic anymore today; there is just so much out there, and right now is our time to make the most of it."
