Roberta Blomster was honored with the 2009 Irving Martin Award based on her years of exemplary service to self-advocacy. She currently serves as president of the Merrick, Inc. Wednesday Morning Self-Advocacy Group, serves as a representative to the SAM Metro Leadership Circle and is in the current class of Partners in Policy Making. Blomster has received numerous awards for her service to others, including the 2005 Outstanding Young Minnesotan from the Jaycees, an Eleven Who Care award, and the Andrew R. Richardson award from The Arc of Minnesota. She has testified on various bills at the Minnesota Legislature, including the 2005 Voter Rights Bill.
In 2008 Blomster traveled to Qatar with Mary Kay Kennedy of Advocating Change Together to participate in Qatar’s International Forum on Children with Special Needs.

Colleen Timbers, who nominated Blomster for this award, said, “Roberta stands for ‘Resourceful, Outspoken, Bright, Energetic, and Talented Advocate.’ She believes in the possibilities and takes the necessary action to make a positive difference in the world!