MARLENE RATLEDGE BUCHANAN

lives enthusiastically as a woman, wife, mother, teacher, and writer. She is quick to say that she planned to marry someone old and rich but only got old. However, on her first date with Snell, her husband, Marlene, knew that he was the one for her, to the point she proposed. After his refusal, she considered getting him pregnant. They are parents to a beautiful olive-skinned son. James suffered a lack of oxygen during delivery, resulting in him having special needs. She refers to James ' condition as a special gift. After thirty-four years of being in public education, Marlene retired in 2007. In the classroom, she earned the name " Ms. Rat," which garnered her a collection of rat figurines and collectibles over the years from her students. As a Southern Humorist, Marlene has entertained readers with her observations about life through her column, Hey Y ' all, published in the Gwinnett Citizen in Georgia since 2015. Marlene returns to share a personal yet historical story about how time has changed over the decades for her, and for all of us if we are mindful enough to think about it, with her delightful take on“ If I Could Turn Back Time” for her unique commentary column,“ Anything Goes with Mama Marlene.”

AMB. DR. RANDI

D. WARD

is our editor-in-chief extraordinaire! At 74 years young, she has been a“ mother” to hundreds of children during her 37 years as a Georgia Language Arts educator. Her teaching journey has taken her to Cairo, Egypt, where she started several language schools teaching ESOL. Randi is also an African animal advocate and environmentalist. She is an honorary president of World Peace Forest( Africa) and USA Regional Director for Africa Nomads Conservation. Her passion for life and humanity has earned her many awards and honors. Randi has recently received the IAOTP Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Her life ' s philosophy is“ Believe! Don ' t dream big; dream bigger! The sky is the limit, so reach for the stars!” Randi has traveled to 60 countries on four continents. From one of her destinations came her memoir that encapsulated her view of what life is all about, Because I Believed In Me- My Egyptian Fantasy Came True. Today, Randi is a master editor and visionary book consultant. By the way, as a mother and forever teacher, she is making sure I am“ crossing my t ' s and dotting my I’ d”… Ha, Ha, Ha!

JACKIE MCNAIR and her husband are parents of a 29-year-old daughter living with autism and an intellectual disability and a 31-year-old son in Gwinnett County, GA. As an experiential consultant, she coaches and trains parents to create meaningful life plans, establishing successful transition plans for school children with disabilities into adult life. As a parent mentor in the Dept of Special Ed. for Gwinnett County Public School Sys., she helps families understand the Individual Education Program for special education students to navigate support and services in their homes, schools, and communities. A 2000 Partners in Policymaking Program graduate of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, Jackie served as their Regional Advisory Council board member and with the Autism Society of America. A 2016 Gwinnett County Citizens Academy graduate, she was recognized by County Commissioner Charlotte Nash. Jackie is a 2017 Phil Pickens Georgia Parent Mentor

Leadership Award recipient. She is on the Sangha Unity Network and Shine Community boards, agencies supporting adults with disabilities, and Travel Light Network, supporting individuals on their journey to mental health recovery. She authors a Substack newsletter, Jackie Mcnair @ BeyondTheIEP. Jackie returns with an empowering story,“ April is the Time for Renewal, Enrichment, and Hope,” in our Empowering Families and Individuals with Disabilities section.

6 | Inspirations for Better Living • April 2025