Scope and Contents: The collection contains a variety of materials related to Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico donated by Anita Nanez Martinez. Anita Nanez Martinez was born in Dallas, Texas on December 8,1925. She is a fifth generation Texan Mexican-American, born to Jose and Anita Nanez. She lived in Dallas Mexican community, known as "Little Mexico".
She was approached to run for Dallas City Council. Anita Nanez Martinez accepted and became the first female Mexican-American member of the City Council of Dallas, Texas. Elected in 1969, Anita served the city council for four years. The West Dallas area had been a neglected area of the city, one change Anita wanted to change was a lack of a recreation center.
In 1975, a recreation center was built in West side of Dallas. This center was the birthplace of the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico (ANMBF). In 1990, ANMBF produced its first season of professional dances employing dancers trained in Mexico. The recreation Center and the Ballet Folklorico are still around today. ANMBF is considered the largest professional Ballet Folklorico Company in the United States.
The collection includes posters, tickets, programs for exhibit, an archival interview of Anita N. Martinez on DVD, a mug, and a Latino calendar.