From 1973-1982 Vilma Martínez was president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the nation’s most important organization dedicated to the protection of civil rights for Mexican Americans. A skillful fund raiser, she doubled the organization’s budget during her time in office and led important legal suits, including expansion of the Voting Rights Act, and the case, Plyer v. Doe. The latter guaranteed the right to a public school education for undocumented children. Awarded for her many contributions, Martínez has received the Margaret Brent Award from the American Bar Association, the Medal for Excellence from Columbia Law School, the Mexican American Bar Association’s Lex Award, and the Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service.

LINKS
The American Bar Association Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP National Constitution Center Digital History	School of Public Affairs Imges