Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Marty L. Ward

March 1, 1948 – June 11, 2021

Content Creator, Educator, Trailblazer, Humanitarian, Dream-Maker

Marty Ward touched the hearts of many in this community and beyond. She was generous with her talents, abilities, and gifts. She was kind and welcoming. Her drive and determination to make a difference and have an impact on the world was beyond inspiring. She had a passion for people like few others and was full of courage. Her enthusiasm — contagious.

Marty’s mission was to create adults and children who believe in themselves so strongly that no one, not even the bully, can steal their confidence from them. The idea was to teach others how to live, love, lead, and be open-hearted and in charge of their lives. 

She shared her mission with the world by writing books, producing hundreds of videos and trainings, speaking in both classrooms and on conference stages and by starting her own nonprofit that had a reach all the way to Africa. She had a passion to stop bullying and empower humans to stand in their brilliance and embrace life with confidence.

Marty loved the work she did in Africa. She delivered water filters and soccer balls each time she visited Uganda. As an educator, it was important to Marty that kids in Africa were going to school so she started a scholarship program. Her efforts, combined with the Knights Hospitaller Club and Waterbearers and the Uganda Water Project, ensured the entire Kayunga, Uganda community of 7,000 people have access to clean water.

She Did It Her Way

Each morning, Marty would take a moment to send love to everyone around her through her social media channels. It was important to her that people knew they were loved and that they mattered.

Marty was straightforward and honest and always had a fresh perspective to any challenge. While in the hospital, talking with a friend about her future and unfinished projects — and unaware of the advanced stage of her cancer — she said, “At least I did it my way,” and, “I did life on my terms.” Then she started singing from the hospital bed. What song? “I Did it My Way” by Frank Sinatra.

Seven days later, she passed away at home, peacefully on her terms, surrounded by her family. It was a short, intense battle with an aggressive cancer. Her family thanks St. Francis Reflection’s Lifestage Care for the heartfelt compassion and quality hospice care they provided in Marty’s final days.

On July 22, 2021, family and friends gathered at the Nyami Nyami River Lodge at Brevard Zoo. It was the perfect location overlooking the savannahs of Expedition Africa. From the deck, you could see the giraffes roaming. 

Speakers shared stories and tagged Marty as a content creator, educator, trailblazer, humanitarian and dream maker — everyone laughed and cried. People joined from around the world via Zoom and guests raised their glasses for a toast with margaritas on the rocks — Marty’s favorite celebratory cocktail. Guests mingled and shared more stories.

TAG Yourself

Marty was a certified school social worker, transformation strategist, certified international speaker and trainer, life coach, international bestselling author, neighbor, friend, sister, and mom. As a passionate social entrepreneur, she founded the nonprofit Confidence Builds Success Academy, Inc. and was the sole owner and visionary of Defining Your Business, LLC.

Her TAG Yourself for Success program has impacted the lives of many around the world. As of 2021, Marty had been to Africa three times to provide training to five offices and 14 leaders.  Her TAG for Change philosophy has reached over 100,000 children, teachers, pastors and parents in Africa and the United States.

TAG is an acronym for Talents, Abilities and Gifts. We all have them. They are concrete evidence of our value. How we choose to use those TAGS is the gift we give to the world. 

Marty taught parents, teachers, children, business owners, husbands, wives, grandparents, coaches, and mentors this system in hopes of creating a ripple effect in our community and beyond. Watching Marty gently guide individuals through her unique process of helping them feel their feelings was inspiring. Her work — transformational.

Having earned a 100-ton U.S. Coast Guard license and having been a sailor most of her life, Marty owned and operated a sailing school on the Hudson River for 10 years in the summers and on weekends. She designed programs for autistic and emotionally challenged youth that had them discovering new Talents, Abilities and Gifts (TAGs) as they raised the sails and steered the boat.

Legacy Lives On

Marty’s dream was to revolutionize the way in which adults around the world see and connect with children. Since the beginning of time, parents and teachers have motivated children to cooperate by using carrots and sticks. As it turns out, children are motivated to cooperate not by rewards or punishment but by connection.

Moreover, when adults learn to treat a child’s acting-out behavior not as something to be squashed, but as a signpost of their greatest gifts, then children will be seen for who they are rather than feeling their gifts don’t matter.

When children believe they matter, they are less likely to hurt themselves or others. They feel confident, connected and inspired to cooperate.

Marty’s legacy lives on. Her nonprofit’s board of directors and her family have decided to create an evergreen website that will be home to over 500 of her video trainings and articles. 

If you would like to make a donation to Confidence Builds Success Academy, please visit  www.ConfidenceBuildsSuccessAcademy.com and click on the donate button at the bottom of the home page.