Lydia Martinez
Lydia Martinez joined the PeerFest Planning Committee in 2019. She currently co-leads the Arts/Experiences Subcommittee. She is a working class Chicana, joyfully living in San Antonio, the heart of Tejas Aztlán. Her history of involvement in peace/ justice groups includes being mentored in activism by members of CAMILA (Chicanos Against Military Intervention in Latin America) and MeChA (El Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlán), in international solidarity through Amnesty International and in creative direct action through Act Up. Lydia worked with OutYouth/ Austin and the Norwalk Battered Women's Shelter. Lydia volunteers with the San Antonio Animal Defense League and Methodist Ministry. Working as a Certified Peer Specialist at San Antonio State Hospital solidified Lydia's belief in the power of peer support. After serving as a board member with SA Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Lydia founded Denton DBSA. Lydia graduated from UT/Austin with a BA in Comparative Ethnic Studies/ Sociology.