The IAM proudly honors IAM Local 830 member Theresa Martinez as she approaches an extraordinary milestone – 30 years of union membership on Sept. 1. Martinez’s dedication to the labor movement is matched only by her commitment to community service and social justice.
Theresa’s union career is a reflection of integrity, leadership, and tireless service. A proud union member in a Right-to-Work state, she has always paid her dues, not out of obligation, but out of principle and solidarity. Her actions speak volumes: in 2024, she served as Chief Strike Captain during a critical labor strike, stepping up to lead without hesitation, even though her own working days would conclude before the contract’s expiration. She ensured every shift was covered, kept detailed records, and became a key force in the successful coordination of strike logistics.
She also served on the IAM Local 830 Election Committee, helping to protect the integrity of the IAM’s democratic processes. Her steady hand and strong moral compass have made her a trusted leader within the IAM family.
“Martinez represents the very best of the IAM. Her courage, compassion, and commitment to her union siblings on the shop floor – and to her neighbors and her community – are extraordinary,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “She not only honors our values, she lives them. We are incredibly proud to call her one of our own.”
But Theresa’s story doesn’t end on the union floor. It is deeply marked by personal resilience and transformed into a light of hope for others. In 2012, her 23-year-old daughter, Ashley Martinez, was killed by a drunk and drugged driver. From the depths of loss, Theresa emerged with purpose. For more than a decade, she has served as a fierce advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), dedicating her time to education, prevention, and healing.
She regularly speaks to high school students and serves on Victim Impact Panels across Kentucky, sharing Ashley’s story to deter impaired driving. She’s worked closely with the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety on public outreach campaigns. She’s also a weekly volunteer with the MADD Helpline and an active participant in the annual Walk Like MADD event.
In 2019, her advocacy helped achieve a major legislative victory with the unanimous passage of Kentucky’s Ignition Interlock Bill. That success, and the lives it will protect, stand as a testament to the power of persistence and love in action.
“Theresa reminds us what it means to fight not only for a better contract but for a better world,” said IAM Local 830 Secretary-Treasurer Joshua Fouts. “Her leadership on the picket line was inspiring, but what’s even more powerful is her daily work as a community advocate, a listener, and a builder of hope. Her daughter Ashley would be incredibly proud.”
Martinez also serves as President of the Compassionate Friends Chapter in Louisville, Ky., offering peer support to parents who have lost children. For her work, she has been recognized with the Bell Award, one of Louisville’s highest honors for volunteerism, and was named a Tom Drexler Hometown Hero at a University of Louisville football game.
As the IAM reflects on Theresa’s 30 years of union membership, we honor not only her service to the labor movement but also her humanity. In her, we see the strength of our union siblings – resilient, committed, and driven by love and justice.
Her story reminds us that being part of a union means standing for something bigger than ourselves. Theresa Martinez stands for all of us.
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