February is Black History Month and March is Women’s History Month. According to BlackHistoryMonth.Gov, Black History Month is dedicated to paying “tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.” Many heroes fit this description throughout American history. Many people fit this description within The Walt Disney Company. Disney Legend Martha Blanding is one of them.
Martha Blanding was hired at Disneyland in 1971 as a part-time tour guide. Within a year, she would be promoted to a full-time tour guide at Disneyland. This made her the first-ever Black tour guide for Disneyland. In this role and eventually, as a VIP hostess, she showed incredible hospitality and courtesy and continued the legacy of Walt Disney’s dream. She hosted guests like Diana Ross, Elton John and Cher.
She shared about the role saying, “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.” She credited her welcoming personality that was a core to every tour ghat she led to her upbringing. It gave her the tools she needed to interact with all types of people.
Throughout her career, she worked her way up through different roles at Disneyland, particularly within Disneyland merchandise management. She was 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. Eventually, she became a Senior Manager of Disneyland Resort merchandise special events. Throughout her career, she led and cared for cast members at Disneyland. She became a mentor to many and co-founded PULSE (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. She retired in 2022. In 2024, she was honored as a Disney Legend.
This month, a new window display appeared on Main Street, U.S.A. that honors Martha Blanding. The display includes a portrait of Martha on the wall that fits the period of Main Street, U.S.A. There is also a copy of her new autobiography Groundbreaking Magic found in the display as well. The pillow on the chair is plaid as an apparent nod to her time as a tour guide. Video and photos of this display can be seen here:
These photos were shared by the Disneyland Resort:
Martha Blanding was honored as a Disney Legend at the 2024 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The moment included the Disneyland Band and a heartfelt speech by Blanding. It can be seen here:
Martha Blanding also recently released her new book with co-author Tim O’Day. Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through The Happiest Place on Earth. This book tells her story. Blanding and O’Day will be signing the book at The Walt Disney Family Museum in March.
What do you think of this new window that is found on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland? What is your favorite detail? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
