[CT-NFB] Information on our National Representative and the Agenda

Fri Oct 31 19:03:07 UTC 2025

Maryanne,

What an awesome agenda! Packed with many powerful speakers and role models
for our members and friends.

A quick correction to my wife's e-mail address; it is:
theresewales at gmail.com (her first and last name both). Are we still able to
update it in the agenda that will go out? Thank you for highlighting her and
this outstanding advocacy the Federation can provide to parents of blind
children! And still anyone is welcome to reach out to me in person and we
can connect as well, so no worries if the agenda has already gone to print.

Looking forward to it!

Nathanael

From: maryanne.melley at gmail.com [mailto:maryanne.melley at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2025 2:05 PM
To: NFB of Connecticut Mailing List; ntwales at omsoft.com; 'Mary Silverberg';
cthompson at nfbct.org; Cheri Duquette; 'Becky Ireland'; Alston Veronica; 'Deb
Reed'; Arbuckle Allison; lady1mnt at yahoo.com
Subject: Information on our National Representative and the Agenda

Marilyn Green

Marilyn Green stands with her cane in hand. In a remarkable journey marked
by resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to advocacy, Marilyn
Green has risen to prominence in the National Federation of the Blind.
Elected to the National Board of Directors in July of 2023, Marilyn's story
is one of
overcoming obstacles, shattering stereotypes, and forging a path of
leadership and
inspiration for many. 

Born on June 12 in Blue Island, a suburb of Chicago, Marilyn's life was
characterized by a quiet, introspective nature. Perhaps this came from being
an only child or, just as likely, it is one of the native attributes that
has made Marilyn a special person. When asked about her family life, Marilyn
humorously remarks, "I have lots of kids, but no tuition."

Marilyn did not initially think much of her vision and never considered
herself blind. She understood that she wore thick glasses, but she was
confident that the reason she sat at the front of the room was that was
where the smart people sat. Her blindness stemmed from an amalgamation of
cellulitis, glaucoma, and cone-rod dystrophy. If she moved more timidly than
others, sometimes on tiptoe, she chalked this up to being cautious, an
attribute that she considered totally consistent with being smart.

It wasn't until she started experiencing debilitating migraines at sixteen
that the reality of her situation began to unfold. Not one to look for
excuses or reasons to complain, she considered the migraines a difficulty
she would just have to deal with, and if they came on as a result of reading
too much, she would just do a better job of managing her reading load.

Her academic journey, though challenging, was marked by determination and
excellence. Marilyn attended Edgar Allan Poe Classical School during her
elementary years and Morgan Park for her junior high and high school
education, the latter being a renowned magnet school. She cherished her high
school years, forming friendships that remain strong to this day. "Some of
those friends were hard to make, and perhaps that is why they have endured."

Marilyn pursued higher education at DePaul University, majoring in English
literature and women's studies. Loving literature, it is no surprise that
her first job was in publishing. Struggling with the intense reading load
and unable to differentiate between font changes due to her worsening
vision, Marilyn faced the harsh reality of having to admit to blindness and
techniques that blind people would use, or taking what she saw as the high
road, refusing any accommodations, and quitting her job. The fact that she
was valued in that job was clearly evidenced by the suggestion of her
supervisor that together they work on accommodations, but Marilyn would have
none of it. She called her mother with the message, "Mom, I'm coming home."

It was in this period of introspection and recalibration that Marilyn found
a new calling. She transitioned to a role at the Chicago Public Library,
where she thrived as a reader advisor. Her responsibilities ranged from
teaching computer skills to conducting financial literacy classes to
educating on landlord-tenant rights. However, the onset of the COVID-19
pandemic prompted another career shift, leading her to her current position
as the director of an agency for the blind.

Marilyn's work with the National Federation of the Blind has been
transformative. She passionately advocates for those of us who are blind,
emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal connections and thinking
beyond oneself. Her legislative work has been instrumental in increasing the
number of cosponsors from Illinois for national legislation. Moreover, her
efforts in mentoring, raising funds for scholarships, and her involvement in
the Story Bank Program of the Federation have been invaluable.

Marilyn's personal life is as vibrant as her professional one. Despite her
busy schedule, she finds time for yoga, loves travel, and is an avid Spanish
speaker, something that serves her well when she goes to Puerto Rico, a
place she loves.

Marilyn joined the Federation by being part of the member-at-large chapter
and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the state president in 2020.
Her first national convention in Florida was a turning point, solidifying
her commitment to the organization and its cause. Her decision to attend was
pragmatic. She reasoned that if she liked it, she would participate, and if
she didn't like it, she would visit Disneyland and other tourist
attractions. She instantly felt a part of all that was going on, and as she
participated, her commitment to the organization grew.

Marilyn's approach to leadership is grounded in humility and self-awareness.
She believes in the importance of not losing oneself in titles and
positions. Her friends describe her as fun-loving, adventurous, and an
excellent communicator-qualities that are essential in a leader. Her life
mantra, "I never plan to forget who I am and where I've come from," reflects
her grounded and genuine approach to life and leadership.

Marilyn Green's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance,
adaptability, and the human spirit's capacity to overcome challenges. Her
story is not just about dealing with blindness but about seeing the world in
a more compassionate, understanding, and inclusive way. As she continues her
work with the National Federation of the Blind, Marilyn vows that success
will not be the path that leads to arrogance, indifference, and an
insurmountable distance between her and those who get so much from her. On
the contrary, she will continue to advocate for a world in which every
individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully, and
she will do so as quietly and unnoticed as she can.

 <https://nfb.org/> National Federation of the Blind. Click to return to
Homepage.

*The agenda is subject to change.

Best regards,

Maryanne Melley

President

National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut

maryanne.melley at gmail.com

860-212-5549

A dream does not become reality through magic: it takes sweat, determination
and hard work

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