Damaris Martinez joined YAF’s team as the office operations coordinator for the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home in Dixon, Illinois. 

As a child living in California, Damaris grew up listening to stories of her mother’s life in Cuba under Fidel Castro’s Communist regime. Damaris’s grandfather was a political prisoner in Cuba for 21 years. 

Upon his release and subsequent arrival in the U.S. in the 1980s, he saw public officials embracing leftist policies and declared of our American government, “This is communism.” That statement stuck with Damaris, even at a young age. Later in life, she also noticed increasing corruption in government and felt the need to become involved. 

Damaris became a conservative activist in 2008 when she learned of the impending bank bailouts. She prepared and printed a fact sheet, which she handed out to passersby in downtown Chicago to help educate the public about the bailouts. Damaris also volunteered for Ron Paul’s campaign. 

After working for 23 years in the legal field, Damaris recently decided to look for work that would allow her to play an active role in making a positive difference. She is excited to join YAF and help instill conservative values in our youth. 

Damaris enjoys gardening, oil painting, and spending time with her family.