Background and Journey to the U.S.

Originally from Colombia, Martha-Jeannette Rodriguez came to the United States on December 15, 2003, seeking safety for her family. Fleeing threats and extortion by the FARC guerrilla, she and her husband applied for asylum, which was granted just one day before her visa expired in June 2004. With determination and hope, they settled in Dayton, Ohio with their five children, looking for peace and stability.

Starting Over

Adjusting to life in a new country wasn’t easy. Martha-Jeannette had to learn English, adapt to new jobs, navigate unfamiliar systems, and raise a family in a new culture. Despite the hardships, her commitment to her family gave her strength and purpose.

Becoming Part of the Community

Encouraged by her sister, she began volunteering at a Hispanic clinic in New Carlisle, helping patients with registration. Her empathy and warmth quickly earned the Hispanic community’s trust. She went on to support young children in after-school programs and worked with East End Community Services, teaching parenting classes and engaging in youth development. It was during this time that the conversations around what would later become the Welcome Dayton initiative began and Martha-Jeannette participated to give the Hispanic community a voice.

Building a More Inclusive Dayton

Since 2014, Martha-Jeannette has been working full-time for the Welcome Dayton, first when the program was housed with the Dayton Human Relations Council and more recently as part of the Community Engagement Division with the City of Dayton. She has been an integral part of the program, advocating for immigrant families across the city. She serves on boards such as Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley, LULAC, Muse Machine, MVRPC, and PACO—championing inclusion and amplifying marginalized voices. In 2016 she founded Latinos Unidos en Dayton, a nonprofit empowering Latino youth and families through leadership, education, and community support. “Supporting and uplifting the Hispanic community in Dayton is not just my work—it’s my heart,” she says.

Art as an Expression

Art has always been a vital part of Martha-Jeannette’s life. In 2015, she earned an associate’s degree in art from Sinclair College. Through painting and sculpture, she shares her life experiences, cultural background, and spiritual beliefs. For the past five years, she has been involved with Welcome Dayton’s New Americans Art Exhibit in partnership with the Dayton Metro Library, providing a platform for immigrant artists to showcase their voices and stories.

Vision for the Future

Through her continued work with Welcome Dayton and Latinos Unidos, Martha-Jeannette is helping create a more connected, supportive city for all immigrants, one where they are not only welcomed but empowered. She envisions a Dayton where diversity is celebrated as a strength, and where immigrants can thrive and give back as full members of the community enriching the U.S. emotionally through culture and connection, socially through civic engagement and leadership, and financially through entrepreneurship and economic contribution.

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Martha-Jeannette Rodriguez’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the difference one person can make when given the chance to belong and give back.