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Marty Blum
Mayor of Santa Barbara
Presentation to the SB Council for Self-Esteem – 01/13/06
Introduction by Bob Hodges
Since I have been introducing speakers for the Santa Barbara Council for Self-Esteem, I have introduced many locally and nationally known celebrities, these include business people, professional speakers, authors, doctors and philanthropists. I have also had the privilege of introducing political figures including the Santa Barbara Chief of Police and a Deputy District Attorney. Today I have the honor to introduce the person at the top of the Santa Barbara political ladder, Mayor Marty Blum.
My use of the ladder metaphor is not an accident. Mayor Blum is at the top of the Santa Barbara Political ladder but she did not magically arrive there one sunny day in November 2001. She traveled one step, one rung at a time. She began her ascent graduating from Purdue University. On graduation day she entered into wed-lock. She and husband Joe, established themselves in Santa Barbara where they raised three children and she continued her career climb.
Soon after arriving in Santa Barbara Mrs. Blum began teaching and getting involved in community work; she returned to school to get a JD degree from Loyola University; practiced law at the Legal Aid Foundation and later, in private practice; served on the City Planning Commission for six years; served on the City Council for six years; was President of the Santa Barbara Teachers Association; President of the Public Education Fund for League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara; and a Member of the founding board of the Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee. These are only a few of the rungs she negotiated on her journey. She accepted ownership of the top position when elected mayor of Santa Barbara in 2001, retaining that position when re-elected in 2005.
Mayor Blum is an excellent example of personal commitment, a strong since of self-worth and self-esteem in action. Has she reached the pinnacle of her life time achievements? I think not, keep your eyes skyward to watch Mayor Blum extend the ladder and place her feet on the next rung.
Please, give a warm welcome to the mayor of Santa Barbara, Mayor Marty Blum.
Mayor Blum began her presentation by informing the audience of the numerous duties she fulfills as Mayor of Santa Barbara. The job allows her to speak to all kinds of people, cut ribbons for everything from businesses to bridges and has even cut a ribbon to recognize the cities acquiring of one special truck! She welcomes people to the city and waves good by when they leave. When she speaks, she tells of our history. Not know when or where her self-esteem came from, she asked her husband of 41 years, Joe. His answer was: when she became mayor in 1995. When she asked one of her sons, he said she was born with it.
Marty was born the youngest of four children and lived in an apartment building in Chicago. She remembers her mother’s constant phrase, “Marty can do anything.” He father, who had to quit school to work when he was 12, became a success keeping a wonderful sense of humor, and enabling all of his children to graduate from college. Her father became her role model.
The year Marty’s family moved to a small town, Canton, Ohio, making it necessary to her to change schools, she decided to run for president of the 6th grade. This was her first venture into the political arena and she has no idea why she made that decision. Marty lost by one vote. She handled the loss well and learned that it is a not a good idea to vote for your opponent if you really want to win. It was her family’s pattern to be very supportive of their children and yet allow them fail and accept the consequences. Marty felt her whole town supported her.
While working for the athletic director in her high school, she noticed a recommendation on the teacher’s desk with her name on it. She read it and was thrilled to read so many good things about herself about which she was not aware. Marty was careful to explain to the audience that ego and self-esteem are not the same things. She was anxious to let it be known that when she made mistakes, she is quick to apologize and happy to do so. Marty moves on; she does not look back. She mentioned that when articles in the press are negative about her actions or decisions, she studies the criticism to see if she can learn from it or if it makes her change her mind.
Marty Blum has had her share of losses. The deaths of her brother and sister came in close proximity, she was beat in her first race for City Council by Tom Roberts, a personal friend, by only 120 votes. On reflection, she couldn’t believe she had allowed his campaign manager to live in her home during the campaign and wondered how just how much of her own campaign strategy had been overheard!
The Mayor had several tips for us beyond those that are underlined above. She feels that those with high self-esteem develop traits of integrity, thoughtfulness, candor and respect. She is proud of her ability to develop good relationships, knows that little things can make a big difference and votes her values. She warned us that our choices reveal our character. We decide how we will feel each day, what words we will use, what actions we take and how we react to the circumstances of our life.
Marty Blum has great humor, is a courageous risk taker, is honest (as shown in her openness with the public regarding her bought with breast cancer), is authentic and charming. She is a woman who has high self-esteem and the ability to think on her feet!
Presentation Report by Betty Hatch
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