Groundbreaking Disneyland Leader Martha Blanding Honored as Disney Legend

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Martha Blanding was honored as a Disney Legend. This happened during a ceremony that was hosted by Ryan Seacrest. She was one of 14 recipients of the Disney Legend award this year. This is given to those who have had a significant impact on The Walt Disney Company. Martha Blanding has definitely done just that.

Martha Blanding worked at Disneyland for 50 years. She came to The Happiest Place on Earth! after being told by a high school guidance counselor that she should learn to work with her hands because she’d never make it in corporate America. However, as she said in her acceptance speech on Sunday, her mother told her to, “Never to let other people determine your future.”

On the Disney Parks Blog, Disneyland Ambassador Jada Young shared Martha Blanding’s origin story. Read this wonderful story here:

Born in Los Angeles, California Martha grew up in the city of Watts, and attended Los Angeles City College before transferring to California State University, Fullerton. In May of 1971, while in her early 20s, she was recruited for a role at Disneyland and was eventually hired as a part-time tour guide. Within her first year, she was made a full-time cast member becoming the first ever Black tour guide at Disneyland with that status.

As a tour guide and eventually a VIP hostess, Martha demonstrated the high level of hospitality and courtesy that Walt Disney envisioned for Disneyland cast members, and she went on to host a variety of prominent guests such as Diana Ross, Elton John and Cher. Martha said, “It was very important to me that every guest experience was special. As cast members, our job is to create happiness and that’s what I strove for every day.” Her welcoming personality was at the core of every tour she led, and she credited her upbringing for giving her the tools she needed to interact with people from all walks of life.

As time went on, Martha was promoted to a position in merchandise management and became the first-ever Black woman in this role at Disneyland and one of the first Black cast members in management across the company as a whole. Here, she was able to secure high-quality merchandise to delight guests and continued paving the way for other Black cast members to aspire to management positions.  

Her hardworking spirit allowed her to move up and become a Senior Manager of Disneyland Resort merchandise special events. She had the opportunity to work with celebrities, world-renowned artisans and assorted Disney Legends. Carmen Smith, SVP Creative Development – Content and Inclusive Strategies for Disney Experiences, said, “It was a pleasure working with Martha for many years on a variety of projects. She is fantastic and has set a stellar example of collaboration and leadership. Her Disney Legends Award is so well-deserved.”

Of Martha’s many achievements, she had the opportunity to be among the founding producers of the Official Disneyana Convention which featured sales of Disney memorabilia, convention logo merchandise and special limited-edition collectibles, along with speakers and gala entertainment events. This event served as a predecessor to what we now know as D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

She also cared deeply about her fellow cast members, leading her to co-found PULSE (which stands for “People United to Lead, Serve and Excel”), a business employee resource group for cast members of African and Caribbean descent and backgrounds, as well as allies, where she served as a mentor and resource to her colleagues.

Despite her retirement in 2022, Martha continues to inspire. She is now the first Black Disney Parks employee to be honored as a Disney Legend, and on Oct. 1, her memoir, “Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through The Happiest Place on Earth,” is set to release from Disney Editions, commemorating her incredible story. 

As mentioned by Jada, Martha Blanding has written a new book. It was on hand at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event for fans to purchase. It will be available for purchase on October 1, 2024 to the general public where books are sold. It is co-written by Tim O’Day, who Martha describes as her “brother from another mother.” Martha Blanding has inspired people who have known and worked with her through the years at the Disneyland Resort. Groundbreaking Magic will continue to do the same.

What do you think of Martha’s story? What did you think of her being honored as a Disney Legend? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! Also, join us in congratulating Martha for this well-deserved honor!