Phyllis Martin worked for the City of North Las Vegas Office of Economic Development in the 1980s and 1990s, where she held various positions including economic development specialist and economic development administrator. Martin also served as the secretary-treasurer for the board of directors of the Friends of Kiel Ranch Historical Site, and as the historian for the 1988 Kiel Ranch Historic American Building Survey. She was also interested in the Nevada Women's History Project, which aimed to highlight women important to Nevada's history. Martin was active in local politics through organizations such as the Southern Nevada Women's Political Caucus and the Women's Lobby.