Megan Martinez was raised in the south Texas coastal city of Corpus Christi by a free-spirited mother who often dated abusive men. She endured physical and sexual abuse, grew up poor, and as a teenager, rebelled by getting tattoos and sporting a punk hairstyle. After both her mother and grandmother kicked Martinez out of their homes, she tried to make rent for on her apartment working minimum wage gigs. Eventually, she wound up homeless and dropped out of high school. But after struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, she found an outlet in make up artistry – which helped her get her life on a positive track.
Raised by a former county commissioner and a retired district judge, Analicia Bañales is no stranger to politics. But when President Donald Trump was elected to office last November, it struck a chord. She realized even the best progressive candidates would find it nearly impossible to get elected and effect change without support from voters. With internships, study abroad experiences, campaigning, and rallies under her belt, Analicia was ready to take the next step. She enrolled in the Jolt Organizing Institute – held by Jolt, a progressive nonprofit focused on mobilizing Latinos – to learn how to become an effective community organizer.
Megan Martinez was raised in the south Texas coastal city of Corpus Christi by a free-spirited mother who often dated abusive men. She endured physical and sexual abuse, grew up poor, and as a teenager, rebelled by getting tattoos and sporting a punk hairstyle. After both her mother and grandmother kicked Martinez out of their homes, she tried to make rent for on her apartment working minimum wage gigs. Eventually, she wound up homeless and dropped out of high school. But after struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, she found an outlet in make up artistry – which helped her get her life on a positive track.
Raised by 
a former county commissioner and a retired district judge, Analicia Bañales is no stranger to politics. But when President Donald Trump was elected to office last November, it struck a chord. She realized even the best progressive candidates would find it nearly impossible to get elected and effect change without support from voters. With internships, study abroad experiences, campaigning, and rallies under her belt, Analicia was ready to take the next step. She enrolled in the Jolt Organizing Institute – held by Jolt, a progressive nonprofit focused on mobilizing Latinos – to learn how to become an effective community organizer.