Book Details Journey of the First Black Disneyland VIP Tour Guide
Book Details Journey of the First Black Disneyland VIP Tour Guide
By Tia Carol Jones
Martha Blanding grew up in South Central Los Angeles and became the first Black Disneyland VIP tour guide. She details her time as a VIP tour guide and working in various capacities with the Walt Disney Company for 50 years in her book, Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’. She talked to the Citizen Newspaper about her experience and about the book.
Citizen Newspaper: What made you want to apply for a job at Disneyland?
Martha Blanding: I applied to work at Disneyland to help my parents with my college tuition. I have a twin sister and both of us were attending college at the same time. We all know how expensive it is to send one child to college, my parents had two at the same time.
My goal was to work and save some money to help my parents pay for college. I was going to school to become an elementary school teacher, but my Disneyland career sort of took off and the rest is history.
Citizen: How would you describe your time working at Disneyland?
Blanding: I was a Black woman working, especially in my early years, in a predominantly white world. I would describe my time working at Disneyland as different, interesting, exciting, challenging and rewarding. I had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing people.
Citizen: Why did you decide to write a book about your experience?
Blanding: I wrote this book because I wanted people to hear a life-affirming story by someone who made it from South Central Los Angeles. You hear few positive stories out of Watts, Compton, or South Central, so when I was urged and eventually presented with the opportunity to tell my story, I took it. My goal in writing the book was also to talk about the Disney magic from a Black woman’s point of view.
Citizen: What do you hope reader’s takeaway from reading your book?
Blanding: Now, after being designated a Disney Legend I want people to be inspired by my story. If a little girl from Watts (who was told by her high school counselor that she would never make it in corporate America) can indeed survive and thrive, so can you! You’ll laugh, cry, and be reminded that you have the magic to make your own dreams come true.
Citizen: How does it feel to know that you were the first Black person in so many parts of your career with the Walt Disney Company?
Blanding: I feel honored and excited; the whole experience has been challenging and amazing. Looking back over 50 years I had no idea that I was the first of anything! Somebody must have been keeping tabs on me because the next thing I knew I was recognized as the first permanent Black tour guide and VIP Hostess at Disneyland. Later on I became the first Black female buyer, the first Black woman in management at the park (and in the entire Walt Disney Company), and the first Black employee to retire with a half century of service.
Citizen: What advice do you have for other Black women who are the first in their workplace?
Blanding: First of all, I would tell them what my Mother told me; don’t let other people determine your future, that’s your job. Be positive in your thinking, don’t take things so personally, look for a career that you love, listen and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to try something new and if you don’t like what you’re doing, walk away and try something else.
Citizen: What career tips do you have when it comes to thriving in the workplace?
Blanding: Always put your best foot forward, you never know who is watching you. When picking your battles, pick the ones that make you look good and remember, sometimes to win a battle you just have to be quiet.
To purchase Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through ‘The Happiest Place on Earth,’ visit https://books.disney.com/book/groundbreaking-magic.
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