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Esteemed Disney Legend Martha Blanding to Address Cal State Fullerton Graduates
Disney Legend and accomplished author Martha Blanding, a proud Cal State Fullerton alumna, will be the featured speaker at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences commencement ceremony on May 21 at Titan Stadium. At the 8 a.m. event, she will also be honored with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, acknowledging her significant impact in her field. This ceremony is one of twelve taking place throughout Cal State Fullerton’s commencement week.
Martha Blanding’s five decades at Disneyland Resort (1971-2022) were marked by significant milestones. Rising from cast member to senior manager, she achieved numerous “firsts,” including becoming Disneyland’s first Black full-time tour guide and VIP hostess, and the first Black employee to retire with 50 years of service at The Walt Disney Company. Her groundbreaking career culminated in 2024 when she was named the first Black Disney Parks employee to be honored as an official Disney Legend.
Her inspiring journey is now captured in her best-selling memoir, “Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through the Happiest Place on Earth.” Co-written with fellow CSUF alumnus Tim O’Day, the book recounts Blanding’s remarkable success story and her unique perspective on the cultural transformations within The Walt Disney Company throughout her impressive career.
“Martha Blanding is a trailblazer who has broken barriers and built bridges throughout her distinguished career,” said CSUF President Ronald S. Rochon. “From a tour guide to an executive leader at Disney, Martha’s journey is a powerful story of perseverance, brilliance and bold ambition. Her career and leadership exemplify the very best of our Titan spirit and values.”
Growing up in South Central Los Angeles and a graduate of John C. Fremont High School, Martha Blanding’s groundbreaking career began while she was a student at Cal State Fullerton. In 1971, she achieved a significant “first” by becoming Disneyland’s first Black full-time tour guide. Within a year, her exceptional abilities led to another “first” as a VIP hostess, where she welcomed a remarkable array of celebrities, including Diana Ross, Elton John, Cher, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, and Bob Hope, as well as important government and international figures.
Her list of “firsts” continued in 1975 when Blanding became the first Black woman in management at Disneyland, starting as an associate buyer before rising to become the first Black female merchandise buyer for Disneyland and all Disney Parks. As senior manager of Disneyland’s merchandise special events, she orchestrated memorable occasions with prominent individuals like Julie Andrews, James Earl Jones, Kurt Russell, Annette Funicello, and the creative forces behind Walt Disney Imagineering and animation.
Beyond her official roles, Martha was a proactive force for progress. In the early 1990s, she helped establish the official Disneyana Convention, a precursor to the popular D23 event. Recognizing a need for community, she also co-founded PULSE, a pioneering business employee resource group for Black Disneyland cast members, demonstrating her commitment to fostering inclusivity at a time when such initiatives were rare.
“I’m incredibly humbled and so very proud of this honor from my alma mater, Cal State Fullerton,” Blanding said. “In addition to so many fond memories of my days living in the CSUF dorms and taking classes that served me well in my professional life, it’s also where my Disney career was launched when Disneyland was on campus to recruit students to be cast members. It’s hard for me to convey how much this honor means to me, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to return to CSUF on such a special occasion for me and all the graduates.”
CSUF’s commencement ceremonies take place May 19-22 at the university’s Titan Stadium and intramural field.
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