Gabriela Martinez grew up in Allentown, PA to a Peruvian-Catholic household where she developed a passionate voice for the rights of migrant and poor communities, as well as ensuring the voice of democracy and voting. During her time in university, she was active in biological research and ecological studies in New England. Gabriela completed her degree in Environmental Science and Peace & Justice Studies at Xavier University, where she was introduced to active Jesuits and Franciscans through Bellarmine Chapel. Since then, she has volunteered with a vibrant community of inner-city youth in Washington D.C. as part of a school partnership program with AmeriCorps. Her combined experiences as the daughter of a migrant family and working with youth has made her a passionate advocate for protecting the safety, dignity, and voting rights of all people who call the US “home”. In her year with the Franciscan Action Network (FAN), she has developed a strong voice in and educates intergenerational audiences on climate "hope", the importance of activism, and working for environmental justice.