Q&A with Linda Sprague Martinez

Chair and associate professor of macro practice, Linda Sprague Martinez specializes in community-driven health and development initiatives for children, youth, and families.

» Why did you choose social policy?

As a bilingual therapist in a community mental health center in the late 90s, I provided counseling for diverse Black and Latinx families, many dealing with barriers associated with systems such as immigration, housing, social services, education, and health care. For me, it brought to light the fact that systems are not designed for everyone. We need social workers both “upstream” advocating for policy change and “downstream” in a clinical capacity with children, youth, and families.

» What was your first job in the social work field?

In the early 90s, while I was working on my master’s degree, I managed a tax credit housing program. At the same time, I worked nights as an on-call case manager helping runaways who were picked up by the police. I also did a court diversion program. I always have at least two jobs! I was a first-generation college student and paid out-of-pocket for what I did not receive from scholarships. Even now, I work for many different organizations.

» If you had infinite time and resources to spend on one aspect of your work, what would it be?

My time and resources would go into a community research center with pipeline programming designed to engage young people in health and research careers. We would identify research field placements for diverse Black and Latinx high school students to provide a comprehensive, clear path to four-year academic institutions. We would also launch an educational campaign, using an arts and community action model, on the real history of the U.S. in an effort to dismantle white supremacy culture.

» In your work, when have you experienced the satisfaction of knowing that you made a real impact?

As an educator, I am committed to the critical education and training of the next generation of social work professionals. I am most excited when students stretch their thinking, take intellectual risks, and begin to think outside the box—challenging oppressive norms and ideology designed to maintain the status quo. How and what we teach matters if we want to see a change and, more importantly, if we are going to dismantle oppressive systems. Whose voice do we prioritize? Whose knowledge do we assign value to? All these things matter.

» Throughout your career, what has been your best decision and worst?

I think my worst decisions are the times I prioritized work over family or when I’ve stayed silent—when there was a clear opportunity to address a microaggression. My best moments were those in which I was fearless and free, speaking my mind and challenging injustice, and naming white supremacy culture and the ways in which it operates in organizations, institutions, and broader societal systems.

Interview by Kristen Walsh | Impact Magazine, Winter/Spring 2020