Remembering María Emilia Martin, Public Radio Pioneer

María Emilia Martin was a leader in both public and independent media, and media education in both Spanish and English-- primarily covering issues related to Latinx people in the U.S. and Latin America as well as indigenous people.

Radio journalist Maria Emilia Martin, a former member of the YR Media Board of Directors, has died in Austin, Texas. She was 72 years old.

In the realm of media, education and social impact, Martin stands out as a true trailblazer.

The creator of the radio show Latino USA, her work will leave a profound mark on the global media community. She will be remembered as a visionary leader dedicated to shaping the landscape of public and independent media, with a particular focus on amplifying the voices of Latinx and indigenous communities in the U.S. and Latin America.

As a past member of YR Media’s Board of Directors she contributed her talents to helping build the organization in its earliest stages. 

YR Media joins her family, friends and community in mourning her loss, while celebrating her legacy.

She is remembered by our team members as a warm and encouraging presence who was so passionate about YR Media's goal to diversify newsrooms, and was a tireless champion for forging a path for more BIPOC journalists.

Her legacy will endure in the stories she helped tell, the journalists she inspired and the impact she made on the local and global media community.

She leaves behind a powerful impact and we offer our deepest condolences to the many who love her and the work she did in the name of equity.