American Archives Month Employee Spotlights - Dorissa Martinez
Name: Dorissa Martinez
Job Title: Archivist at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
How long have you worked at the National Archives?
13 years
What made you interested in being an archivist? Why did you want to work at your Presidential Library in particular?
My love of history and my interest in doing something meaningful that would benefit society, not just some awful corporate job that only benefits the Board of Directors. Working at the Nixon Library was NOT on my BINGO Card, but the first time I walked in the building I just knew it was the place for me.
Give us an overview of your job. What are some of your responsibilities?
I'm a textual archivist, so I work on both classified and unclassified materials. I also work with researchers to schedule their visits and complete orientations and pull list prior tom their arrival. I am in charge of accessioning/deeding unsolicited donations.
What’s the strangest thing that’s happened to you in this line of work? What’s the best?
I don't know about the strangest, but definitely one of the coolest things that happens around here are the beautiful weddings! We've had several that have entered our parking lots with elephants, camels, llamas, horses, with full music and dancing. Imagine that scene from Aladdin when he enters Agrabah or a beautiful Bollywood dance scene with gorgeous outfits and everything! It's so spectacular to watch!
The best would be when I was diagnosed with cancer and, knowing that I would be immunocompromised, the entire staff got together and made the choice to voluntarily mask up whenever I was in the office. It felt so amazing to be so supported in that way. It also made me feel like I could come in and work whenever I needed to without worrying about getting sick.
What’s your favorite fact about the president for your particular Library?
He paid for his first campaign using his poker winnings.
You’re having dinner with the President of your respective Library. What restaurant would you take him to or what would you cook? What artifact would
you ask him about? Why?
I would cook him Mexican food and I would ask him about his World Series Ring.
If you were making a movie about your respective President, what would the tagline be and who would you cast? Why?
The tagline would be either "Richard Nixon Will Live on Forever" or "Get Your Daily Dose of Richard Nixon." It would be a documentary series staring the Archives Staff and how they encounter Richard Nixon every day in their lives outside of work.
What's your favorite document, and why?
The Safire Memo, "In the Event of the Moon Landing" is my favorite because it's a reminder of how much contingency planning goes on behind the scenes.
What advice would you have for someone interested in a career in archival work, or how would you convince someone to consider a career in archival work?
I would recommend interning or volunteering at an archive to get some experience, but also to determine if it's really something they want to do.
Lastly (and most importantly), why should people visit or learn more about your Presidential Library?
The Nixon Library is set on a beautiful campus and we don't shy away from Watergate. Many visitors are surprised by what they DON'T know about Richard Nixon.