Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilyn Stroud
Marilyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am an African-American albino and I had some stresses growing up as such with not being understood of people being familiar with albinos. I was very shamed faced and bashful growing up, but in the 11th grade in high school I found my voice when I found a friend and I started talking from then till now. I love information giving and receiving so I am a public speaker of such, I minister in church and outside the church walls. I council people and I do other physical ministries supporting others.. I love to sing. I had a stroke five years ago and lost my confidence, but I still sing some now.. I have done lots of community service. I stopped some after I had the stroke, but I enjoyed serving others. I was the president of our missionary board for a number of years and during that tenure had connected with a food donation organization that allowed me to pick up food from different restaurants and distribute to persons in need, I was able to partner with Toys For Tots and distribute to others at Christmas. I have ministered song and preached word @ several churches in and around Atlanta. . I served as a volunteer at Grady Hospital while I was in high school as a candy striper a volunteer program. I became a Christian in 1970 and have remained faithful since then I am Resilient so I have stood in. even having whatever I have encountered in life.. I stand strong today, I have had cancer surgery in 2023 and am still now battling breast cancer. I love people so I love communication, Sharing information I was the Sunday school teacher and I have been the Sunday school superintendent. I am currently the assistant superintendent have taught Bible study. I do now teach a Bible empowerment session once a week this month and prior to make a biblical presentation twice a month on a Facebook LIVE/ conference line with a group called Our HOUR OF POWER at eight every morning Monday through Friday . I have several physical ailments, but I’m still moving on and enjoying it. People wonder how I get around to do so much since I don’t drive. I enjoy reading. My favorite thing is attending church, events and services. I love meeting new people and enjoying current friends as seen in this interview. I love to talk as previously said I love gaining and sharing information. I have named myself an unofficial information specialist because of that. Tee hee hee! I feel that I have made, and am still am making a great contribution to our society and more specifically to those in the community as I continue to serve in the best capacity that I can considering my health issues. I am quite honored to have this opportunity to share my story. I would love to write a book, but I’m legally blind and can’t see well enough to do it on my own, So I thank you for this opportunity to share my story with you.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of my struggles were because of my legal blindness I couldn’t see the chalkboard in school. I couldn’t see the print in the textbook, but the government helped me. They gave me some teacher some lady( I don’t know her title or position), that assisted me , she got me the extremely large textbook she spoke with the teachers on my behalf. They allow me to sit at the front of the class, so I’d be closer to the chalkboard, I didn’t have many friends because people couldn’t understand how I was so light complected but yet I was an African-American . My greatest struggle was with my poor vision.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently disabled /retired, but when I worked, I worked for Georgia industries for the blind, which fit well with my blindness I was the receptionist originally, they liked my work well enough that I then became titled senior clerk, and I have enjoyed working with the people, my job was to answer the phone transfer calls file and type up the bill of lading for the truck drivers I enjoyed communicating with the callers and with the employees they loved me and I loved them , I am well known for being a sweet person a kind- thoughtful person, and that usually it’s what sits me apart from others I’m even tempered very rarely shows or expresses anger, I am a strong believer in prayer so I pray a lot and allow the spirit of the God that I trust in to handle situations so I am not stressed about it thereby making me a calm person and that’s what I’m known for is the peace I bring in situations.
How do you think about luck?
Good luck/bad luck seems to be the same thing for me. I love people so much so that I am usually. Allowing the wrong people in my circle the good of that is because I don’t judge people and criticize people. The bad of it is because of that it opens myself up to persons that are not really true friends or that are going to be for my good..
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Marilynstroud
- Youtube: Marilyn odoi
