Jessica Martínez-Brooks embraces the best moment of her professional career. When she talks about her past, she is overcome with emotion; the detailed account of her life takes you back in time. You can almost see this little girl with a contagious smile ready to swallow the world. She had always wanted to be like her grandmother, Anita Martínez, a very strong willed person. Little Jessica Martínez Brooks, loved to assist her grandmother at a place called ‘La Puerta de Oro’, a senior citizens center, which doors are still open to the community. Jessica remembers as well as her grandfather, Jesse Martínez who droved the bus at the senior citizens home. Jessica’s brother two years younger than her; along with her would participate in several activities at the center.
Those were special times, when they would help the elderly, just for brief moment, made them feel young again. She recalls how during trying times, especially during her parent’s separation, it was her grandparents that nurtured her and took care of all her physical and emotional needs. “I owe a great deal to my grandparents, they are extremely important in my life,” Her great grandfather Gregorio Martínez, came to Oklahoma, from San Luis Potosi, Mexico but the rest of her family was born in Oklahoma. Her father and his brothers, although from Mexican roots, were born in Oklahoma. Her mother Debrah Watson, taught her a lot about the Anglo culture, but with her grandparents so close by, between the Mexican cuisine and the folklore music she managed to keep her tradition alive. As a young lady, she celebrated the Mexican traditional, ‘quinceañera’, but also indulged with her friends in the celebration of sweet sixteen parties, (similar custom). Jessica admits that there were times when she wanted to be like any of her friends, but time had taught her the value of her culture. She is not particularly fond of the ‘Mexico American’ term, something she categorized as confusing. At 32 years old, Martínez more than has reached her long life goals, but those that are not familiar with her, would believe that she owes all her success to just her warmth personality and her charm. She graduated with a degree in journalism in 1999 from Oklahoma University. Worked as a journalist for The Oklahoman newspaper, in the Public Relations Department of the Oklahoma City University. Attended Oklahoma City Community College, place where she returned in 2001, where her career took flight. She worked in the Public Relations and Marketing Office, later on she became the Public Affairs Coordinator for the educational entity. Currently she is the Director of Community Outreach and Education. Among her duties is the management of the College for Kids and Teens Program, the ESL (English as a Second Language) and the GED (General Educational Development) Programs. Even though she has reached the pinnacle of success, Jessica believes that she owes it all to her husband, Michael Brooks-Jiménez, a well-known immigration lawyer, whom she met during a trip to Mexico. They share a common bond, including a little piece of heaven, an adopted child; two and a half years old, Michael Joaquín, whom Jessica admits is their main reason to welcome each day. Meantime she keeps that overwhelming desire to motivate, help and educate the youth, something that she views as her long life duty.
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