Citizen Spotlight

THE POWER OF SERVING OTHERS

Getting to know community servant Marie Jordan

“If you are going to do something, be sure you finish it and do it well.”

This was the advice that Marie Jordan’s father gave her as she was growing up the oldest of three girls in Geneva, Alabama. This mantra has remained with this community-minded woman as she went on to pursue exemplary and extensive professional careers in real estate, public health, politics, music, athletics, business and education.

DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

When speaking with Marie, her eyes sparkle as she talks about the value of being involved in her community. She has always felt strongly about stepping up whenever she saw something that needed done in her community or extending a hand to a person in need. That’s where her passion for volunteering began.

“My first job was in 1966, working in a grocery store. Instead of just being content as a cashier, I volunteered for training in the meat department, produce department and stockroom. I wanted to learn every aspect of how it worked and to help out.”

Discovering all the moving parts and pieces of a business also served as a launching pad for Marie to take on more leadership roles, as well. “After graduating in 1968, I joined the volunteer rescue squad in Geneva while pursuing her education goals. When the State mandated that squads must have an EMT to operate their service, I became the first person to be certified until we could get others qualified.”

STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE

Athletics is another of Marie's multifaceted passions. She organized her hometown’s first women’s softball recreational league and was the first woman softball officials in her area and continued to expand her officiating into numerous sports. She currently officiates volleyball.

“During my teaching tenure and coaching career, I became athletic director for Ozark City school for girls and began the task of developing sports such as volleyball and basketball. I served on the first Alabama High School Athletic Association committee for implementing Title IX (a federal law that makes it illegal to discriminate against a person on the basis of gender in any federally funded activity).”

She admitted she wasn’t given much encouragement in this effort at the time, “In fact, we were told it will never get off the ground.” But now, she just smiles and says, “’We've come a long way, baby’.”

Ensuring equal opportunity to athletics in all respects is important to Marie. From 1982 to 1994, she accepted the challenge of being Alabama’s first state coordinator and training director for Alabama Special Olympics in Montgomery which allowed her to be involved with fundraising, program and training development, and public relations. She had the privilege of serving on Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s committee to improve training methods for special children.

ARRIVING IN ALABASTER

In 1995, Marie relocated to her now-hometown of Alabaster as the city's first Parks and Recreation director from 1995 to 2005. In this role she developed plans and proposals for Buck Creek Trail and established the Parks and Recreation ordinances. Also, in partnership with generous donors and volunteers, Marie secured grants for the addition of three soccer fields for public use and started the first soccer league which expanded rapidly to be one of the most successful sports programs.

Unfortunately, a serious back injury cut her professional career short. She endured more than four surgeries and numerous procedures that thankfully kept her out of a wheelchair. After three joint replacements and three victorious battles against a persistent cancer, she began the long, painful fight back to health in order to resume her volunteering journey.

She acknowledges that the effort is difficult some days due to nerve damage, but she still gratefully says, “What a blessing to still be able to say, ‘What can I do next to make things better for my community?’.”

CONTINUING TO SERVE THE CITY

Marie currently serves on numerous boards that strive to make this community better. She is the Beautification Board chairman, which recognizes the people

who go that extra step to manicure and clean up their yards. “We appreciate Board their efforts that show they care about how their properties are adding to the beauty in our city.” Marie was recently elected as chairman of the Abatement Board and also serves as vice president of the Maple Ridge Homeowners Association.

She is proud to work alongside councilman Stacy Rakestraw to encourage environmental stewardship in the community by developing the Re-Cycle Program and implementing the Clean Sweep campaign every April. “We added a component to reach children with this mission by teaming up with the people against litter state (PALS) group, to promote a poster and recycle art contest during Clean Sweep last year.”

Marie is a strong believer of programs and activities advocating environmental awareness and action. “It is especially important for children to have opportunities to understand the importance of being litter-free, having clean air and water, saving natural areas, etc. and how this leads to a healthy community,” she insisted. She served on Montevallo’s children’s Nature Camp staff that promoted all aspects of the importance of our natural surroundings.

She also gets into the Christmas spirit by encouraging people to be visually creative with their decorations and to participate in Alabaster's annual Tour of Lights each holiday season.

She feels that her own success is due to having a strong faith and working with many professionals and mentors whose influence and encouragement offered her many opportunities personally and professionally to have various careers, businesses and volunteer experiences. When Marie takes a moment to relax, she enjoys her extensive music collection and feeding her many birds and squirrels in her backyard.

Seeing Hope for the Future

Marie believes Alabaster’s future looks bright and promising. “I know the pandemic has affected the tax revenue coming in, but I feel confident the building plans in the works such as the new Justice center, recreational expansions, strong school system, etc. will continue to bring people to our city,” she stated.

“I am looking forward to continue working with the new administration, and all the good volunteers I serve with on the various boards, I'm on. I feel so grateful to be a part of making things happen, rather than finding myself wondering, ‘What just happened?’,” she said with a smile.

“I wish to thank Mayor Handlon, city council members and numerous volunteers I had the pleasure to work with for being so supportive with projects and for dedicating many hours to making our city a great place to work or live,” she expressed.

In closing, she asks everyone to, “…give a smile and make a difference by doing simple acts of service and kindness!” AC