That was until the FRETILIN Bench party in Timor Leste tapped her on the shoulder.
In a country with minimal childcare and as a married mother of two, the 41-year-old was hesitant at first, before her family's vision for the country's independence eventually persuaded her.
That was in 2017 and she's still a proud MP today.
"I'm very happy to assume this position because this is a good way in how to contribute in another way to my country," she told SBS News.
Timor Leste MP Lidia Martins
Supplied
She's among 26 women in Timor Leste's parliament, thanks to a quota system introduced in 2006 forcing political parties to nominate one woman for every three candidates at national elections.