The Village of Virginia Gardens, started as an idea with some individuals who loved horses and who were from Virginia, eventually on July 10, 1947, Dade County made their dream a reality…

I am originally from North Carolina, the only child of Kenneth and Ora Elizabeth (Hoyle) Leatherman, my mother and I moved to the Miami Springs-Virginia Gardens area in 1968. I attended Miami Springs Junior High School and graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School in 1972. I have been a resident of the Village of Virginia Gardens since 1978. My husband, Hector Martinez, is a Physical Education Teacher, who is also a retired First Class Petty Officer from the United States Naval Reserves having served 22½ years in service to our Nation. I am retired from counseling and teaching.

I began my public service to the Village of Virginia Gardens with the Beautification Committee in 1989 and served several terms as Chairperson. The mission of the Beautification Committee has always been to keep our streets tree-lined and maintain our tree canopy. Making our neighborhood an oasis in Miami-Dade County. I resigned from the Beautification Committee to run for Council, to which I was elected too in 1995. In addition, I have had the honor to serve as Council President for two terms.

As a Council Member, I represent the residents of the Village and have worked diligently to maintain services, while keeping our taxes low. I have worked with our mayor and council members to secure adequate drainage for the Village: seeking grants that are free or matching fund grants and any other item or items that have come before the Village Council.

As a Council Member for the Village of Virginia Gardens, I am proud to serve the residents since 1989, in this special place that we all call home…