It’s not physically possible for Martha Robinson to attend every cultural and fundraising event in Key West, but don’t tell her that. The warmhearted yet fiercely competitive woman would take it as a challenge. There’s no point in mentioning it to her wide circle of friends, either. Robinson is so visible at community gatherings that they wouldn’t believe she could miss one.
“Martha is a force of nature,” said one longtime colleague. “She has a heart as big as the island, and she throws herself into helping every person and organization that matters to her.”
Robinson arrived in Key West in 1987 from Westchester County, New York, several years after getting a degree in psychology. Possibly due to her knowledge of personality quirks and affection for colorful characters, she was quickly embraced by Key West’s offbeat populace.
With exuberance and boundless energy, Robinson threw herself into community causes and endeavors. By 1998 she was serving on the board of directors of the nonprofit Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys, and in 1999 she was elected queen of Key West’s Fantasy Fest costume celebration.
She earned the royal title by raising more money than her rivals for the organization then called AIDS Help — and while new royal rulers are chosen every year, Robinson is regarded by many of her friends as “queen for life.”
Her upbeat personality has served her well in her chosen career; she’s been a successful real estate agent for nearly four decades and is a top producer for BHHS Knight & Gardner Realty.
Robinson is also a talented singer, and occasionally startles companions by emitting a sustained high note, typically followed by a mischievous grin. Not long ago, she put her musical skills to good use through involvement in Aqua Idol, the Aquaplex Nightclub’s singing competition and fundraiser for local nonprofits including the Key West Wildlife Center.
A passionate and active member of the Wildlife Center’s board of directors, Robinson strongly supports the organization’s dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds.
“It’s composed of remarkable local people who are committed to the health and preservation of our birds here in the Florida Keys,” she said.
Robinson has devoted her time to scores of other local organizations, nonprofits and causes. They range from the Key West Chamber of Commerce and Key West Business Guild to the Florida Keys Lodging Association, Key West Art and Historical Society and several local theaters. Her near-superhuman level of involvement earned her the Key West Association of Realtors’ lifetime achievement award for community service.
More than 10 years ago, Robinson and her family joined local musicians to establish the Crooks Second Line, a New Orleans-style musical walking parade whose participants carry placards honoring deceased loved ones. Named for her late brother-in-law, famed drummer Richard Crooks, it’s held each February and raises scholarship funds for students in Key West’s Bahama Village Music Program.
Robinson often attends Key West benefits and cultural events with her longtime companion, Roy Bishop, or with others who share her interests.
Her schedule is jam-packed with concerts, theater and exhibit openings, art shows, bingo games benefiting the Wildlife Center, and even Monday-night trivia sessions at the Key West Cooking Show. Despite Robinson’s competitive nature, her team (dubbed Roy’s Angels in honor of fellow member Bishop) is better known for providing comic relief than accurate trivia responses.
Though not a trivia wizard, Robinson is a knowledgeable collector of local artists’ works and has been a dear friend to many notable talents — particularly the late painter William Welch. The walls of her spacious house in Key West’s New Town are covered with canvases purchased at galleries or fundraising auctions, creating a colorful and eclectic backdrop that suits her vivid personality.
Robinson’s home and yard are also a haven for her collected menagerie: three-year-old dogs Tina Turner and Stevie Nicks, a cat named Sox who sports a dapper feline mustache, and an African sulcata tortoise called Nick, who rules over the lushly landscaped outdoor domain.
When she’s not at home in Key West, Robinson can generally be found traveling with Bishop. Recent adventures have included cruises to Alaska, Italy and Croatia, where she absorbed the local culture, made new friends and visited sites ranging from historic churches to animal sanctuaries.
Yet no matter how widely she travels, Robinson is happiest on the island where she has lived for nearly 40 years — making a difference by supporting people and causes, sharing her talent and passion to benefit local organizations, immersing herself in community events and proving that she really does deserve the title of “queen for life.”
