Sunday, October 11, 2009

Marie Oliver: Making the Most Out of Life


“My father said, even if you have to be a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper.” One of the Insider’s 2009 phenomenal women shares her inherited attitude toward life, with all its ups and downs.

Born in Alabama, at a critical time during the civil rights movement, Marie Oliver witnessed a series of events that, today, seem like ancient history. From the bombing of southern black churches to the marching of Doctor Martin Luther King, Oliver is a strong testimony to what perseverance, in the face of adversity, can bring about. With motivation as a critical tool, Oliver applied her father’s many words of wisdom as she sought out the few opportunities minorities were left with, in her time. “He always told us to reach for the moon; if we didn’t meet the moon, at least we’d be up there with the stars.” A living declaration to a life dedicated to reaching upwards, Oliver goes on to share what the fruits of her labor have brought about.

In hopes of a wonderful place to raise her children, with good schools and a plethora of job opportunities, Marie relocated to Racine in 1966. Inspired by her father’s twin sister, who owned her own real estate company, Oliver became interested in real estate. After working with Ebony Real Estate for a year, Marie decided to go back to school and obtain her own broker’s license. “I felt I could form my own business. That’s what I’ve done ever since.” But, though long and strong for 25 years now, Marie Oliver Real Estate is not where Mrs. Oliver’s capabilities stop. While May thru November may be consumed with open houses and closing sales, January thru April are swamped with tax and accounting responsibilities through Oliver’s other business, Marie Oliver Accounting, Payroll and Tax Service. Plainly said, Marie assures the Insider, “I keep pretty busy.”

Despite her hard work, and the blessings that followed thereafter, Marie guarantees the Insider that she is no stranger to set-backs. The mother of 2 biological children, 1 adopted child, and 7 step children, Marie, and her husband, James, experienced what some parents might call their “worst fear”: their eldest child, Shenita Bryant, was the victim of an unsolved murder in Atlanta, Ga. “I would never wish that on my worst enemy. It hurt me. It broke my heart and left me helpless.” Without closure or understanding, Marie is left in the dark concerning the details of her daughter’s murder. But, a woman of God, and a member of Second Missionary Baptists Church, Marie affirms the Rock on which she stands. “I am a Christian woman and I prayed to God and I saw his presence. I know that if I didn’t have the love of the Lord, I wouldn’t have made it.” Now, in an effort to renew both heart and mind, Marie reaches out to other parents whose children have been murdered. She hopes to start a support group in Racine. “It [losing a child] is almost an illness you have to overcome. I still to this day miss her. It was never solved, so there’s been no closure, but I don’t drill on that. I just know that she’s in a better place.” Despite the harsh blow Shenita’s death was, Oliver and her family have continued on as active and contributing member to Racine, a city Marie loves and strongly advocates.

The financial secretary for her church and the parliamentarian for the Community Women’s Club, Marie finds strength and peace in the small community of Racine. “I think Racine is a wonderful place. I like what the city of Racine does when they start to see things taking a turn for the worse. I have visited some cities where it can be just terrible. Racine and the administration we have here are doing what they need to do: when it looks like there’s an issue, the government steps in.”

When asked what words of encouragement she has for today’s generation, Marie says this to the parents of Racine’s future: “Take more of a hand in raising your children because one day they’ll have to go out into this world. It’s not the teacher’s responsibility to raise your children, it’s yours.” Her words of wisdom for all include an advocacy for staying in school and pursing an education. “The most critical thing is to continue your education; even in my stage in life I continue to educate myself. Stay in school and be the best of whatever you can be.”

The Insider thanks Marie Oliver for her story of perseverance and hope. Truly you are a role model to what higher reaching and larger thinking can do.