A section of Glades Road between Federal and Dixie highways has been named “Lois D. Martin Way” in honor of the community activist and educator who passed away in 2022 at the age of 93.
Community leaders, including City Council members, attended the Sept. 23 dedication event that was hosted by Developing Interracial Social Change (D.I.S.C.) at Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay tribute to the lifetime resident of Pearl City. The historic black community in Boca Raton was recently approved by the state to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation awaits approval by the National Park Service.
“Mrs. Martin was considered a community champion,” said D.I.S.C. President Marie Hester. “She was a public official, community leader, concerned citizen, a human/health service worker and volunteer. She was always there willing to do whatever had to be done to keep things going.”
Among her many community activities, Martin served as vice chairwoman of the Boca Raton Housing Authority, secretary to the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, member of the city’s Historic Preservation Board, and Sunday school teacher and treasurer for Ebenezer Baptist Church. Her high school and middle school teaching career spanned 40 years.
The Lois Martin Community Center, also named in her honor, serves underprivileged communities in Boca Raton.
— Mary Hladky
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