Remembering Monica Martinez
By Robert Bard
In the midst of all the incredible sadness that we have experienced with the
losses caused by COVID-19, we have also lost one of our most cherished and
loved Latina leaders in our country. This is most poignant when the person who
has left us is a longtime friend, partner, and role model whose passing has left a huge
hole in our hearts.
On May 20, 2021, we lost our dear Monica Martinez. Loved by everyone who
ever came in contact with her, I had the pleasure of knowing and working with her
Robert Bard, Monica Martinez and Lupita Colmenero.
for over 20 years since she had joined Ford Motor Company in Detroit. I remember
a day when our friend Carlos Orta, Monica and I cruised around San Diego with Rudy
Beserra driving a Mustang convertible taking the sights during a United States
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention. We would repeat the adventure in many
cities afterward. It was a joyful time so full of future possibilities.
Monica Martinez with Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. President & Co-Founder, USHLI; Rocky Egusquiza,
VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Executive Director, Foundation, Miami Marlins and Jacquelyn
Puente,Executive Director of External Affairs at Comcast NBCUniversal.
Monica Martinez with Jane Garcia,
Vice chair for Latin Americans for
Social and Economic
Development (SED).
32 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 27, No. 3, 2021
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