Martha Alicia Cortés Galvez
through the years
October 28, 1970
Martha was born on October 28, 1970 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She was the fourth of nine siblings.
Fall 1981
Martha and her family move from Guadalajara to Pasco, Washington. She attends McGee Elementary.
Fall 1983
Martha attends McLoughlin Junior High, now named McLoughlin Middle School.
Fall 1986
Martha enters high school, attending Pasco Senior High. There, she was a member of French Club, and enrolled in the Pre-Nursing Program at Tri-Tech Skills Center. Her favorite band at the time was Puerto Rican boy band Menudo.
Fall 1987
Martha meets her future husband, Israel.
June 1989
Martha graduates from Pasco Senior High School.
August 1989
Martha and Israel marry.
June 1990
Martha and Israel welcome their first baby boy, Izzy.
1991
Martha enrolls in Columbia Basin College's Nursing Program.
1994
Martha begins her 27-year-long career in nursing. In October, Martha and Israel are chosen as the Family of the Month, selected by United Way's Year of the Family Committee.
June 1995
Martha and Israel welcome their second baby boy, Estevan.
May 1998
Martha and Israel welcome their baby girl, Cassie.
2000
Martha joins the Birth Center at Kadlec Regional Medical Center, where she worked for 21 years and delivered close to 3,000 babies. At this time, she also becomes a member of WSNA, advocating for nurses across the state.
January 2019
Martha travels to Olympia, WA to testify in both the House and Senate Labor Committees' hearings on Rest Break bills, SB 5190 (Senate) and HB 1155 (House).
May 2021
Martha represents WSNA as Washington Gov. Inslee signs HS 1097, SB 5190 and SB 5115 into law to protect essential workers.
August 2021
Martha is diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, and chooses to live out the rest of her life knocking things off her bucket list.
September 2021
Martha is featured in Washington State Department of Health's COVID-19 Vaccinate Washington Campaign.
October 2021
January 8, 2022
Her final sunrise.
