Marta is currently a writer and independent historian whose 35-year professional career focused on expanding and improving civic engagement in public policy issues on peace, justice and the environment. She was Executive director of several state and national organizations, including OPTIONS at Brown University where she co-founded and co-directed their national NEH-funded, multi-year, scholar-led dialogue series, “Choices for the 21st Century,” held in 500 public libraries across 30 states. The program engaged communities in study and discussion about the values Americans share, and their influence on public life and policy choices.

Since retirement in 2005, Marta’s interests have included Colonial Black History, the Connecticut Ivory Trade, and the American Civil Rights Movement, where she has focused on the life of Civil Rights champion and legal pioneer, Judge Constance Baker Motley (1921-2005), who had a home in Chester for 40 years. Marta lives in Chester and is a Trustee of the Chester Historical Society. She is curator of their Constance Baker Motley Special Collection Archive, and has created their museum’s permanent exhibit on Motley, and written extensively about her life.

Marta is also a member of the Chester Land Trust, who, in 2016, established the Constance Baker Motley Preserve on land Motley owned in Chester. She has worked together with the Land Trust to create public programs, and write and design historical story boards and visitor brochures for the Preserve. In 2024, when the USPS issued a first-class Forever stamp to honor Motley’s life, the Historical Society and the Land Trust collaborated in a town-wide celebration. Along with Jenny Kitsen, VP of the Land Trust, Marta co-represents the Constance Baker Motley Heritage Site on the state’s Connecticut Freedom Trail. Marta has provided over 100 presentations on Judge Motley to civic, church, school and professional organizations.