San Diego Rotary Names Martinez Couple for Award
Ted and Lidia Martinez are the first Latino couple to be honored as Mr. & Mrs. San Diego by the local Rotary Club.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hispanic
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The San Diego Rotary Club has selected Ted and Lidia S. Martinez as the 2026 recipients of the Mr. & Mrs. San Diego award. They are the first Latino couple to receive the honor in the award program's history.
Why it matters
The couple was recognized for their commitment to supporting underserved community members and mentoring future generations of leaders. The award is given to locals who personify the organization's Service Above Self motto.
The National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellows Program, founded by Ted Martinez Jr., now includes 400 fellows across 28 states. This initiative has launched the careers of 50 community college presidents and 70 vice presidents.
The players
Ted Martinez Jr.
He is an educator who founded the National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellows Program in 2003.
Lidia S. Martinez
She is a community advocate who held a 30-year tenure at Southwest Airlines and earned an honorary doctorate from San Diego State University.
San Diego Rotary Club
This is a local service organization that presents the Mr. & Mrs. San Diego award to residents who exemplify the organization's Service Above Self motto.
The details
Ted and Lidia S. Martinez were honored for their long-term community service, joining only four other married couples to ever receive the award. The Rotary Club requires all nominees to be alive and not currently holding elected government office to be considered.
Timeline
The award program was established in 1952.
The Rotary Club took over the administration of the award program in 1976.
Ted Martinez Jr. held a leadership position at Grossmont College from 1997 to 2007.
Lidia S. Martinez received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from San Diego State University in 2022.
A formal recognition luncheon will take place at Liberty Station on November 12, 2026.
Culture Shift
The selection of the Martinez couple highlights a broadening definition of community leadership within long-standing regional honors. This shift reflects a move toward greater inclusivity in recognizing service contributors who have historically been underrepresented in prestigious award programs.
This award highlights the active role of local community leaders in San Diego and the mentorship programs available to residents. Readers interested in civic engagement may look to the leadership fellows program as a benchmark for professional development in the education sector.
The takeaway
The recognition of the Martinez couple underscores the value of sustained, long-term service to the San Diego region. Their trajectory demonstrates how personal commitment to mentorship and community advocacy can leave a lasting impact on professional and educational institutions.
What happens next
The San Diego Rotary Club will hold a recognition luncheon for the couple on November 12, 2026, at the Liberty Station Conference Center.
Further reading
Learn more about local community developments in San Diego Hispanic.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times of San Diego.
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