[1] Born in Mont-Saint-Martin (Meurthe-et-Moselle), Martine Étienne began her career as a letter carrier with the PTT in 1977, before becoming a counter clerk.
Martine Étienne grew up in a highly politicized family, close to the French Communist Party (PCF).
She made the transition from trade unionism to political life in 1995, when she became Longwy town councillor.
During her second term as town councillor, Jean-Paul Durieux resigned as mayor of Longwy on June 23, 2006, and Jean-Marc Fournel was elected to succeed him.
Following this election, Martine Étienne was appointed deputy mayor, with responsibility for housing and habitat.