CONTRIBUTORS ( CONTINUED )
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 , Marlene knew on her first date with Snell , her husband , 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 skin 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 . She returns with a beautiful story , sharing how she is smiling into the new year to empower you to do the same with her unique commentary column , “ Anything Goes with Mama Marlene .”
DR . RANDI D . WARD
is our editor-in-chief extraordinaire ! At 73 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 !
GRANDDAUGHTER CROW ( DR . JOY GRAY )
holds a doctorate in leadership . She is internationally recognized as a medicine person who comes from a long line of spiritual leaders as a member of the Navajo Nation . Due to her academic achievements , Granddaughter Crow is also a Delta Mu Delta Honor Society member . She was voted Woman of the Year in 2015 by the National Association of Professional Women . As an award-winning author , her books , The Journey of the Soul , Wisdom of the Natural World , and Belief , Being , and Beyond focus on how we are more similar than different . There is more beyond our beliefs waiting for us to open up . Presenting a groundbreaking new paradigm for understanding cultural perspectives , Granddaughter Crow invites us to delve into ideas outside the dogma we may have previously been taught . By exploring our pre-existing beliefs and the themes various spiritual traditions share , we can heal thoughts that may hurt us and others . In sharing inspiring anecdotes from her own life , Granddaughter Crow explores similarities in stories in Christianity , Hinduism , and Navajo traditions . These stories help us truly know ourselves and empower us to live with an open mind . She has dedicated her life to inspiring , encouraging , and empowering individuals to be authentic . I am delighted to have Granddaughter Crow share her compelling , beautiful story “ Who is Mom Anyway ?” in Our Global Village section !
8 | Inspirations for Better Living • January 2023