Ms. Marquez was born and raised on the Westside of San Bernardino.  She is the daughter of a Santa Fe Railroad Worker.  Virginia Marquez attended local schools at Our Lady of Guadalupé Elementary School and Pacific High School.  In 1979, Virginia Marquez graduated from California State University, San Bernardino where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.

Councilwoman Virginia Marquez started her law enforcement career in 1981, with the California Youth Authority, as a Youth Counselor.  In 1984, Virginia promoted to Parole Agent I, with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  During her years with this Department, Councilwoman Marquez worked at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, Centinela State Prison in Imperial County, and the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco.  She has held various classifications at the aforementioned facilities. Councilwoman Marquez has also been assigned to various capacities as a Parole Agent throughout the following cities: Oakland, San Diego, Sacramento, and the San Fernando Valley.  In 2009, Virginia Marquez retired as a Parole Agent II - Specialist.  Her last assignment took her to San Diego, where she worked with women who were in treatment and recovery.

Subsequent to her retirement from State service, Councilwoman Marquez worked for Congressman Joe Baca of the 43rd Congressional District, as a part-time Congressional Representative for 14 months.  There she was assigned to the City of Rialto where her areas of focus included Senior Affairs And Public Safety.  She resigned from this office in January 2010, in preparation to serve the City of San Bernardino on a full time basis as the 1st Ward Councilwoman.

Councilwoman Marquez is a member of the following professional organizations: California Correctional Peace Officers Association, Parole Agents Associations of California, California Narcotics Officers Association, Women's Club of San Bernardino, Native Sons of The Golden West and The Greater Rialto Democratic Club.  Councilwoman Marquez is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupé Catholic Church.