Martha Garcia, Behind-the-Scenes Queen
Celebrating 52 years of Excellence and Service to L.A. County
“When I first started working here, I had so many people say that they did not know anything about NHMLAC and its location, but that isn’t the case anymore!”
Across from NHM’s Dino Lab lies a suite of offices where staff like Martha Garcia, Special Assistant to the President and Director of NHMLAC, engage in critical Museum operations. Often referred to as the “Executive Suite,” the work that happens there is as delicate and important as the fossil preparation happening on display across the hall. In the course of her daily work, Martha has assisted the Museum president, managing a complicated calendar and interfacing with the offices of high-level local and international contacts with grace and care. Martha has expertly served the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) for 36 years, spanning the leadership of three different Museum presidents. We sat down with Martha for the milestone of her retirement after 52 years as a Los Angeles County employee to reflect on her personal and professional trajectory.
Herstory
Martha is a native Angeleno and keeper of countless fascinating stories unique to L.A. She attended Abraham Lincoln High School during the largest Chicano youth movement in the city: the historic East L.A. Walkouts. She easily recalls the fear and hope felt during those early struggles. She joined the walkouts against her parents’ warnings, saying, “I just had to.” Her older brother passed away in the Vietnam War at a time when activists were calling attention to the disproportionate number of Chicanos being killed overseas. She says she’ll never forget the nonviolent National Chicano Moratorium March, where three Mexican-Americans, including Los Angeles Times journalist, Ruben Salazar, were killed as a result of police violence. Despite the structural barriers that often prevented Chicana students like Martha from accessing higher education, she was a prodigious and creative student. Martha learned how to sew from her mother; those skills were noticed by a high school teacher who mentored her and helped her enter a fashion show. Martha would continue to sew but decided to pivot towards business administration. When asked why, she thinks that working in fashion back then would have been difficult, considering her background.
“At the time, I just felt like maybe I was being unrealistic. Maybe pursuing a career in business administration would open up more doors for me.” UC Santa Barbara recognized her academic potential and offered her a full scholarship. Despite all the barriers, Martha was college-bound.
Family first and always
Pictured left: Martha's father, Manuel Oropeza, in his mariachi suit
Arthur Garcia and her mother, Genoveva Muñoz Oropeza, 1997
Martha has always been very rooted in family and found herself both happy and nervous to leave home for college. Unfortunately, it was during this time that her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Martha’s father was the sole provider of the family; employed by Southern Pacific Railroad and additionally working mariachi gigs. He would no longer be able to work, so Martha made the decision to support her stay-at-home mother so she could continue focusing on raising her four younger siblings. Back then, L.A. County was known for offering excellent pension and benefits, but also for having a rigorous employment process. Martha applied for various County jobs and even landed a role at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. However, the L.A. County Department of Health Services offered her an immediate job.
“I had just graduated from high school,” she recalls, “and my first day of employment with L.A. County was on June 19, 1972.”
Beginning as an intermediate typist, Martha would go on to work at the County’s Coroner’s Office during the tenure of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, Chief Medical Examiner, or as he was known back then, the “coroner to the stars.” While her work at the Coroner’s office was strictly administrative, when tragedy struck it was all hands on deck. In 1986, Aeroméxico Flight 498 crashed in Los Angeles and she had to work down in the morgue, helping to fingerprint and identify victims. This tremendously emotional experience stayed with her long after she left the Coroner’s Office.
Martha’s career continued to grow when she joined the team at NHM, where she began as Management Secretary II, then Sr. Management Secretary in Museum Operations. Martha would continue growing with the Museum as an Executive Secretary II for Dr. James L. Powell. In that role, Martha was formally recognized for her skills engaging with government entities, Board of Supervisors, trustees and even international dignitaries. Meeting Edward James Olmos is a particular highlight of that time in the 1990s, when he visited NHM after the release of American Me. Finally, Martha was promoted to Special Assistant by Dr. Powell, a role she held with Presidents Dr. Jane G. Pisano and Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga.
Martha and Edward James Olmos, 1993
Marilyn Bello seated at head of table with Martha Garcia. Marilyn joined NHMLAC a year and four months before Martha, or as she likes to call her, "Martita."
“My Godfather congratulated me—he was aware of all the promotional opportunities that would become available to me, which, in retrospect, he was right!”
Reflecting on those formative years, Martha doesn’t regret a thing. She helped to support her family financially; her mother never had to start over in the workforce, and two of her younger siblings went on to college—even obtaining master’s degrees. And as Martha’s career grew, so did her family. Martha welcomed a son, Arthur Anthony Garcia, Jr. on March 20, 1979. Arthur was a dedicated student and took after his grandfather by embodying a deep appreciation for mariachi music, never missing a Vicente Fernandez concert. In 1996, Martha would also meet Bobby Roybal, her life partner, who she’s been with for 28 years. When her son tragically passed away in a car accident at the age of 27, a particularly caring colleague sat with her to process grief and share some research. Martha fondly remembers how the curator of history, Dr. Janet Fireman, encouraged her to take time to focus on healing in a unique and transcendent southwestern site she had studied at for years: Santuario de Chimayo. Martha credits her partner, Bobby, with getting her through this challenging period, calling him “my rock.” She and her partner Bobby return to the Chimayo shrine in New Mexico every year, where they continue to honor Arthur's legacy. Martha remembers Arthur as a devout believer and a cheerful son, always leaving her with smiley face tokens and a smile on her face.
Times have changed
Martha has observed positive changes at NHMLAC for its staff, community, and the Museum collections. The first major transformation she experienced was the renovation of the historic 1913 Building. She remembers how the Dinosaur Hall looked when she first arrived—“so tiny and dark”—a complete contrast to what the Hall looks like today. She leaves the Museum as it is about to launch a new wing and community hub, NHM Commons.
“The addition of the NHM Commons is going to be even more spectacular and I cannot wait to come back to see it!”
The County's progress towards greater diversity and inclusion makes Martha hopeful. She remembers when speaking Spanish in the workplace was shamed, but in her career she has worked to cultivate a familial and bilingual-friendly office culture. One of her standout memories involves being asked to speak with Spanish-language media in the 1990s to promote an exhibition—her mother even saw her on Univision! In recent years, the Museum has established a Community Engagement program that goes deeper into building connections between various local audiences and the Museum.
Cecilia Velasquez and Martha Garcia
Grace Cabrera, Martha Garcia, Dr. Jane Pisano, Dawn McDivitt and Kiara Brown
Martha and Marilyn Bello in the 1913 Rotunda
Martha with Dr. Lori Bettison Varga, 2024
“The community outreach has been wonderful, which was not happening when I first started. I have also enjoyed all the great IDEA work that has taken place for the staff. It’s been great to see all the positive outcomes and that everyone is important and has a voice.”
On a personal note, this author can attest to Martha’s commitment to mentoring younger professionals.
“The best highlights of my time at NHMLAC have been all the great friendships that I have made throughout my 36 years working here, which are a part of my life and will continue to be. For that, I am truly grateful!”
Here comes the sun
The future is sunny for Martha, as she looks forward to retiring with her partner in one of her favorite cities: Palm Springs. If you know Martha, you’ve probably received a recommendation or two about where to go when visiting this desert oasis. Martha has frequented Palm Springs over the years as she’s balanced hard work with the occasional vacation—balance is key! That being said, she’ll be sure to come back to L.A. to catch her favorite sports teams: Martha is a serious Dodgers fan and also roots for the Rams. She promises to come back to visit NHM. Completely out of office, Martha can look forward to limitless traveling, glamping, and roadtripping between Arizona to Colorado with Bobby. When asked about her retirement plans, she responds: “rest and relaxation!” In between that, she’ll be learning how to play golf, while occasionally enjoying a refreshing margarita. Cheers, Martha 😊!
Martha and Bobby
The Dodgers' #1 fan