Lynn Morley Martin was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 26, 1939, and graduated from the University of Illinois (B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, 1960) with a degree in education.

For years, Martin worked as a teacher and served as a member of the Winnebago County Board (1972-1976). She was also elected to the Illinois House of Representatives (1977-1979) and the Illinois Senate (1979-1980). In 1980, voters elected her to the first of five terms in Congress as a representative from Illinois (1981-1991).

In 1990, Martin was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Appointed secretary of labor by President George H.W. Bush, she took the oath of office on February 22, 1991, and served until January 20, 1993.