Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on May 21 at Titan Stadium. She will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree recognizing her groundbreaking achievements during the 8 a.m. ceremony, which is one of 12 ceremonies taking place throughout the week.
As a cast member and later as a senior manager of merchandise special events, Blanding spent five decades with Disneyland Resort, accumulating an impressive amount of “firsts” from 1971 through 2022. Blanding was Disneyland’s first Black full-time tour guide and VIP hostess, first Black employee to retire with 50 years of service at The Walt Disney Co., and, in 2024, the first Black Disney Parks employee to be designated an official Disney Legend by The Walt Disney Co.
Blanding recently released her best-selling memoir, “Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through the Happiest Place on Earth.” Cowritten with Disneyland Resort and CSUF alumnus Tim O’Day, the book shares Blanding’s success story and unique journey showcasing personal resilience through five decades of cultural transformation at The Walt Disney Co.
“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.”
Blanding grew up in South Central Los Angeles with three siblings and graduated from John C. Fremont High School. She was a CSUF student when she began her role as Disneyland’s first Black full-time tour guide in 1971. Within a year, she earned a role as a VIP hostess, hosting such celebrities as Diana Ross, Elton John, Cher, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson and Bob Hope. Blanding was also the designated hostess for U.S. government officials and international delegates.
By 1975, Blanding became the first Black woman to work in management at Disneyland. She started as an associate buyer and later became the first Black female merchandise buyer for Disneyland and all Disney Parks. Blanding progressed to become the senior manager of Disneyland’s merchandise special events, where she produced events with notable figures Julie Andrews, James Earl Jones, Kurt Russell, Annette Funicello and Walt Disney Imagineers and animators.
In the early 1990s, Martha helped produce the official Disneyana Convention, a predecessor of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. She co-founded PULSE, a business employee resource group for Black Disneyland cast members, at a time when many companies lacked official diversity groups.
“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.