mnsss519 Luz Alvarez Martinez Papers, 1978-2007 (ongoing) Finding Aid Sophia Smith Collection

Smith College Northampton, MA

2012

Finding aid exported into EAD from InMagic DB/Textworks 13.0. Encoded by Margaret Jessup. February 20, 2012 Finding aid written in English. Collection Overview Martinez, Luz Alvarez Luz Alvarez Martinez Papers1978-2007 (ongoing) MS 620 13 boxes (14.5 linear ft.) English Sophia Smith Collection

Smith College Northampton, MA

Health reformer. Papers document Luz Martinez's personal life through an interview, photographs, audiovisual materials, and memorabilia. There are also materials that document her leadership role in fostering the health and well-being of minority women and records and photographs of her activism with the National Latina Health Organization include Board files, program files, posters, artwork, and photomontages; and her work with the Sister Song Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. Biographical Note

Luz Alvarez Martinez grew up in a California farmworker family that worked the fields in Fremont, Gilroy and Santa Rosa. She was an early supporter of the United Farm Workers, and a feminist and environmentalist. In 1986, she co-founded the National Latina Health Organization in Oakland, CA, and served as its Executive Director until 2005. In 1997, she also co-founded SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective. She has also served on the Minority Women's Health Panel of Experts of the National Office of Women's Health (1997-2005), and on the Women's Health Council of the Office of Women's Health of the State of California since 1997. Martinez has four sons and three grandchildren. Since 1993 she has been an Aztec ceremonial dancer.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Luz Alvarez Martinez Papers consist of biographical information including an interview, photographs, audiovisual materials, and memorabilia documenting her life, family, and friends. There are also materials that document leadership role in fostering the health and well-being of minority women such as photographs of women's gatherings and ritual celebrations, conference materials, photographs, publications, and memorabilia. Records and photographs document her activism with the National Latina Health Organization, including the Board of Directors files and program files, posters, artwork, and photomontages; and her work with the Sister Song Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.

[NOTE: The contents list for this collection is not online. Contact the Sophia Smith Collection if you would like one sent to you.]

The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection with the following caveats: Collection is stored offsite; researchers must give 48 hours advance notice. This collection has not been fully processed and therefore may be difficult to use.

The Sophia Smith Collection owns copyright to the unpublished works in this collection by Luz Alvarez Martinez. Permission must be obtained to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Copyright to materials authored by others may be owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Preferred Citation

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

Luz Alvarez Martinez Papers, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

Periodic additions to collection are expected and may not be reflected in this record.

The Papers were donated to the Sophia Smith Collection by Luz Alvarez Martinez beginning in 2008. Periodic additions to the collection are expected.

Accessioned by Burd Schlessinger, July 2008

Health care reform -- History -- Sources Hispanic American women -- Social conditions Hispanic American women -- Health and hygiene Latina women -- Biography -- Sources Latina women -- Health and hygiene -- United States Reproductive health -- United States Martinez, Luz Alvarez National Latina Health Organization SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective (Atlanta, GA)