Judith “Jude” Martinez
Judith “Jude” Martinez
Founder of InHerShoesMvmt
Los Angeles, CA
judithpmartinez.com
InHerShoesMvmt.org
Instagram: @jud.ithmartinez / @inhershoesmvmt
Twitter: jdthpmrtnz / inhershoesmvmt
linkedin.com/in/judithpmartinez
What do you do?
“Bay area educated, LA native, Judith Martinez, is the Founder and CEO of InHerShoes. InHerShoes is a non-profit committed to catalyzing courage for young girls and women around the world. ”
Posing the question “What would you do if you were one percent more courageous?” InHerShoes creates the community and platform for everyone to discover their own answer while celebrating the quirks, questions, and courageous moments of life.
Committed to creating communities and environments where people get to make a difference, and have access to the resources to do so, Judith has worked with organizations such as Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, world-class leaders such as Leon Panetta, and has shared her voice on behalf of youth at the Youth Assembly, United Nations. Selected as a StartingBloc fellow in Washington, D.C., Judith has most recently worked with organizations such as ReWork, Mind Hatch, and the Transformative Action Institute. She has most recently co-authored Students Lead Now, the first book written by students, for students, on student leadership. Recognized by The Next Big Thing Movement as one of 2017's Millennial Influencers, she was nominated to join the ranks of Forbes 30 Under 30.
She is passionate about social entrepreneurship and empowering younger generations to have the exposure, understanding, and environment that shifts social impact from a concept to a lifestyle, she enjoys being a master connector of people, passions, and purposes.
What inspired you to create InHerShoes?
When I graduated college I felt lost. Throughout my entire 22 years of life I felt I always needed “a plan”, and not only that, it needed to be “the perfect plan.” Finally graduating, I felt scared and confused about what I wanted to do. I was on the fast track to law school and had made plans to begin schooling the following fall. But then suddenly questions like, “Am I ready?” “Am I doing the right thing?” or my personal favorite, “Am I good enough?” always came to mind. I then realized these questions aren’t particularly unique to me.
Everyone at some point comes across similar conversations with themselves. We never really outgrow doubt, fear, and uncertainty. They just change pending on what becomes important to us. After having conversations with friends, peers, and mentors, I realized what I really wanted to do was make a difference by contributing to others - specifically, young girls and women.
Once I discovered this, I realized the only question I began asking myself was: What would I do and who would I choose to be if I were just 1% more courageous? I began asking a variety of women from all ages and stages in life and the answers I received were amazing. I got that its okay to ask questions, explore other possibilities, and feel confused when you think you have to be certain. I want each girl to get the same thing and know what its like “in her shoes”.
If you have multiple jobs and/or skills, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Public speaking and design.
Which of the two would you like to do more? Why?
Public speaking. And when I say public speaking, what I really mean is communicating. Though I love me some alone time and actually consider myself an introvert, I love the impact sharing through words can create. I would say both design and sharing are both different ways of expressing yourself, but I love the “now-ness” of speaking with others. It’s live. You can see the effect a simple string of words can have on someone right in front of you. It’s an experience that I think can touch, move, and inspire people to do awesome things.
Give us a specific example of how you do your job like a BOSS.
Everything I do relates to interacting and connecting with people to generate possibilities. If there is something you need that I personally cannot make happen, I know someone who can. I am just as interested in others’ success and growth as I am of my own. For me there’s something electrifying about creating connections with and for people. It makes this world feel a little smaller, incredibly bigger, and filled with endless possibilities all at the same time.
What are you working on right now?
Expanding InHerShoes on a global level with major players across various industries. Creating new structures that support our expansion, and fostering new partnerships.
What is frustrating you right now?
Funding! I just launched my first ever kickstarter campaign! Getting the word out about InHerShoes and what we are up to would be a huge boost toward getting us the funding we need!
If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Reach out to professional women to grow our InHerShoesMVMT network
If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
How to make sure your business strategy “works” to not only have it sustainable and scalable, but also keep the momentum of your startup/nonprofit.
What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for right now?
Collaboration with awesome, inspiring women who are interested in making a positive impact on young girls. Anything surrounding social impact and entrepreneurship.
Who would you love to reach out to?
Decision makers at leading companies and brands who have the ability to make a profound social impact.
Describe your ideal collaboration.
InHerShoes on a year long adventure around the world documenting people defining their 1% more courageous.
What is your hourly rate, retainer, or salary range?
Drop me a note and let's chat: catalyze@inhershoesmvmt.org
How should someone approach you about working with you?
email: catalyze@inhershoesmvmt.org
This member profile was originally published on January 2015, Updated September 2019.