Martha C. Valdez-Pellino is the new chair of the Mayor’s Hispanic American Advisory Board. The board meets the first Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Annex.
HOW DID SHE BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE BOARD?
“A position opened on the board and Mayor (John) Delaney called and asked if I’d be interested in the position. I jumped at the opportunity to serve and it has been an honor and a privilege.”
WHAT MADE THE MAYOR NOTICE HER?
Before Pellino got the call, she worked with the Clay County State Attorney’s Office and Quigley House.
HOW LONG HAS SHE WORKED WITH THE BOARD?
For about two years.
WHAT’S HER BIGGEST GOAL AS CHAIR?
“My primary goal is to take the board to the next level and to improve the board’s good image and involvement in the Hispanic community, to serve our people by effectively recognizing their concerns and needs. And furthermore, to help provide a means by which our community can obtain information and guidance on programs and services provided by our government.” Pellino wants the Hispanic community in Jacksonville to be aware of the health and education services provided by the City. She wants to emphasize early literacy, educating people to know where they can go to learn the language, and on how to become a U.S. citizen.
WHAT’S NEW FOR THE BOARD?
Media involvement, voter registration, focusing on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for working families with children and feeding the Hispanic community’s hunger for information.
WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING WITH THE MAYOR’S HISPANIC AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD?
“We’re like one big, happy family. We get along famously. It is also a privilege to work with Mr. Thomas Jimenez, the founding member of our board, who is now the secretary/treasurer. Without his vision and his dedication, the board would not have come into existence.”
WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH THE MAYOR’S OFFICE?
“We are the liaison between the Hispanic community and the mayor’s office. The mayor is very receptive to the board, and in fact, we want to help him with his efforts.” Pellino sees the board’s relationship with the mayor’s office as a way to improve health, safety and early literacy within the Hispanic community.
WHAT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS DOES SHE WORK WITH?
After starting volunteering in 2000, Pellino has become involved in many non-profit and service organizations. She is currently on the Northeast Florida Hispanic Social Services board and on the steering committees for UNF’s Women’s Fair and Hispanic Conference.
DOES HER FAMILY SUPPORT HER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY?
Pellino’s husband accompanies her to many events. “My husband is totally 100 percent behind me. I could not do what I do without him and his support and love.”
WHAT IS HER BACKGROUND?
Pellino is Cuban-born and New York City raised.
WHERE DOES SHE LIVE?
The beaches area for the past 10 years.
EDUCATION
Pellino has her associate’s degree from both the College of Staten Island (sociology) and Jones College (pre-law).
WHAT ARE HER HOBBIES?
With never a dull moment in her life, Pellino loves to garden and she is active in health and fitness. She goes to the gym about five times a week. “It’s my down-time. I enjoy it tremendously.”
WHAT’S HER FAVORITE PART ABOUT HER INDUCTION?
“There were a lot of important people there. We had such a fabulous turnout. The meeting lasted 43 minutes, but the networking afterward lasted for hours. People were handing out their business cards and talking.” Pellino hopes this will be a start for greater involvement with the Hispanic Advisory Board.
— by Tammy Taylor