The Heart That Holds Us Together — Meet Millie
Millie Martinez-Stordeur at the Hermosa Beach Pride Tower
When you meet Millie Martinez-Stordeur, President of HB Pride, you can feel her presence before you hear her title. She radiates warmth, confidence, and purpose — the kind that comes from years of experience and a deep love for the community she calls home.
Millie’s old soul energy is a perfect reflection of the balance she brings to Hermosa Beach Pride. She’s both the visionary and the foundation, the one who dreams big and then quietly rolls up her sleeves to make those dreams real. As others on the board like to say, she’s the bones of Pride.
“Being President isn’t glamorous,” she laughs. “It’s a lot of emails, a lot of conversations, a lot of ‘how can we make this happen?’ But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Pride is always on my mind. Even if I’m not working on it directly, I’m thinking about how we can connect with more people or partner with local businesses to create safe, joyful spaces.”
That connection to community is at the center of everything Millie does. Immigrating from Argentina 🇦🇷 at just 5 years old, she grew up learning the value of resilience and belonging — lessons that deeply inform her leadership style today.
“When I moved to the U.S. as a kid, I didn’t speak English. I remember sitting alone at recess until one girl came up and played with me. That small act of kindness stuck with me forever. I think that’s why I do what I do now, I never want anyone to feel left out or unseen.”
“We’re not just celebrating love; we’re building a culture of kindness.”
Her connection to Pride began almost by accident. The first Hermosa Beach Pride took place the same week she moved to town. She went to check it out with her then-boyfriend and left feeling inspired by the sense of community and joy. Soon after, she began volunteering, helping with marketing and event planning, and eventually became a board member. In 2024, when the opportunity arose to step into the role of President, Millie didn’t immediately see herself in the job. The responsibility felt immense. But she also knew what could happen when leadership falters — she’d seen promising community efforts fade without someone who truly cared. So she said yes.
That decision has defined not just the next chapter of HB Pride but the tone of what the organization has become under her guidance — community-driven, creative, and deeply collaborative. 🌈
Under her leadership, HB Pride has grown in depth and inclusivity. She emphasizes collaboration with local small businesses hosting events in neighborhood cafés, breweries, and shops instead of closing streets or building massive stages.
That collaborative mindset shows in everything HB Pride does. Under Millie’s leadership, the organization has become a model of community partnership, especially with local small businesses, cafés, bars, shops, and restaurants that host Pride events and keep the spirit local and authentic.
“Hermosa isn’t about barricades and big stages. It’s about people,” she says. “Hosting events at local businesses not only builds community, it keeps them thriving. When we support each other, we all rise.”
Those who work alongside her say she’s both visionary and practical with the ability to dream up big ideas and also figure out exactly how to make them happen 🔮. That mix comes from experience. Having spent years in community relations and marketing, Millie understands that success depends on relationships and trust. She believes the best ideas don’t come from the top down but from collaboration — the collective energy of people who care.
Her approach has helped HB Pride evolve into something bigger than an annual event. The organization now represents a year-round commitment to inclusion — not just for the LGBTQ+ community but for all who have ever felt on the margins. Millie’s leadership ensures that Pride in Hermosa Beach stays grounded in authenticity. She’s intentional about keeping celebrations local, hosted in neighborhood spaces that reflect the heart of the South Bay rather than closing streets or building barriers. Pride, in her vision, should feel like home — open, vibrant, and familiar.
For Millie, creating safe spaces isn’t just about celebration, it’s about visibility, advocacy, and belonging. She’s also focused on connecting generations, working to bring more youth voices into the organization.
“Pride shouldn’t be something for people, it should be something we build with them. I want young people, especially high school students, to see that they can lead, too. They’re the next generation of this community.”
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, her vision for HB Pride is clear: growth without losing the heart. “I want everyone in Hermosa to know that Pride exists and that it’s here for them. I want us to keep collaborating, supporting small businesses, and creating events that are inclusive, accessible, and rooted in community. We’re not just celebrating love; we’re building a culture of kindness.”
And that’s what makes Millie so uniquely suited to lead HB Pride, she doesn’t just talk about inclusion, she lives it. Whether she’s hosting a meeting, chatting with a café owner, or welcoming a first-time volunteer, she embodies the belief that belonging begins with one small act of connection.
✨ About Hermosa Beach Pride
Hermosa Beach Pride is a community-based organization dedicated to celebrating diversity, inclusion, and love in the South Bay. Through year-round events, partnerships, and advocacy, HB Pride works to create safe, visible, and joyful spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to connect and thrive.
