Marty’s legacy lives on through the pages, videos and archives on this website. As you peruse this content you will learn, “There is nothing to fix. Just more of you to discover.”
Marty Ward touched the hearts of everyone she worked with around the world. 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.
Eliminating the impact of bullying was very important to Marty as she had personally experienced its devastating effects and saw first-hand how bullying can damage a person’s self-worth.
Being ME Matters was a message Marty taught to over 80,000 teachers, parents, pastors, entrepreneurs and children around the world. Marty wanted everyone to honor and value themselves and others for how Talented, Able and Gifted (TAGs) they are.
Marty’s passion and 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 change cultures by teaching a fresh perspective on how to live, love, lead, and be open-hearted and in charge of one’s own life.
Marty was a certified school social worker, transformation strategist, certified international speaker and trainer, life coach, and international bestselling author. 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.
She shared her mission with the world by writing books, producing hundreds of videos and trainings, speaking in both classrooms and on conference stages. She had a passion to stop bullying and empower humans to stand in their brilliance and embrace life with confidence.
This website has been created so that her teachings and life legacy continue to help others in her absence.
Marty was a champion for children and their well-being. She always gave back to her community. The Children’s Hunger Project and LiftUp at Ready for Life Brevard are two non-profits that were very near and dear to Marty’s heart. If you have a passion for supporting children or making a difference in your community might we suggest you look at these two organizations as a place to get involved.
Marty’s passion and 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 change cultures by teaching a fresh perspective on how to live, love, lead, and be open-hearted and in charge of one’s own life.
TEACHING
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 like 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 taught parents, teachers, children, business owners, husbands, wives, grandparents, coaches, and mentors her TAG system in hopes of creating a ripple effect across the planet. 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.
Her programs bring harmony and productivity to the classroom, living room, bedroom, and boardroom. Using this 21st century wisdom, schools, homes, businesses, and communities become a place where people thrive. A place where they are treated with dignity, civility, and respect.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Marty began her career as a 3rd grade teacher and soon moved on to earn her master’s in social work. While a school based social worker at two high schools in New York, she initiated and ran school-wide peer leadership training that decreased discipline problems.
Parenting workshops improved parent/child communication skills. Marty designed the Renaissance Program that promoted academic performance and a drug prevention program that encouraged interest in healthy, fun activities. She held 8 Children of Dysfunctional Families’ Groups a week to improved coping skills and academic performance.
Marty owned and operated a sailing school on the Hudson River for 10 years in the summers and on weekends. Having been a sailor most of her life it was no surprise when she earned her 100-ton U.S. Coast Guard license. 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.
• In 2016, Marty founded Confidence Eliminates Bullying, Inc (CEB) 501c3 and began giving school assemblies, classroom presentations, and teacher training in Brevard and Seminole Counties.
• In 2018, CEB was renamed Confidence Builds Success Academy, Inc 501c3. Successful fundraising allowed Marty to teach her programs locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Marty believed that children need to learn to self-validate, rather than relying on others for approval. She worked to help children develop the resiliency necessary to cope with adversity and have sufficient faith in themselves so that they feel no need to put others down.
It was a bright, sunny day in March of 2015 when Marty received a surprising email. Pastor Buni Alex had emailed her because he had found her book, Get Clear Get Confident Get Going, on a pile of 200 books to be burned.
Buni was guided to take the book off the pile and read it. He shared with Marty, “I was bullied too, and your book changed my life. I want to know more about what you have to teach.” Marty began training Buni over the internet and by 2018 Buni had established a TAG for Change Movement in Uganda.
Marty says her destiny was her mission in disguise. God’s breadcrumbs as she calls it or those incidents, coincidences that seem to happen randomly but end up being the perfect experiences that evolve you into who you were meant to be.
Who could have ever imagined that her mission to train adults to inspire themselves and children to believe in themselves so strongly that no one, not even the bully, can steal their confidence from them could turn out to be her destiny?
In 2007, Marty was at the top of the pyramid in Egypt in the King’s Chamber. When she took her turn to lay in the grey marble sarcophagus to wait for her message from God, she had a vision of herself in a long white dress with a thousand children at her feet.
As she was climbing out of the sarcophagus, she recalls thinking, “Well. Thank you, God, but I am not working with children right now.” She then promptly forgot all about her vision.
Buni invited Marty to Uganda to offer more in-depth trainings for the children, parents, teachers, and pastors. She accepted and started planning for her trip. Marty raised money to bring water filters and soccer balls to the schools where she would be teaching.
Buni shared the speaking itinerary and when Marty saw that she would be at the headwaters of the Nile, she burst into tears but had no idea why…until she read, “You will be speaking to 1000 children!
Next step…she bought the long white dress that would fulfill her destiny! It was a triumphant day speaking to those children and sharing with them how they had played a role in her destiny.
As of 2021, Marty had been to Africa three times to provide trainings for five different offices and fourteen leaders. The TAG for Change philosophy had reached over 100,000 children, teachers, pastors, and parents in Africa and the USA.
Instilling confidence in others has been Marty’s life’s work. Her experience as a Life Coach and Social Worker repeatedly proved that confidence contributes to success and happiness.
When teaching, Marty used her theatrical abilities and passion for impact to engage her audience and have fun. Many of Marty’s life journeys are shown here in this photo gallery.
These archived articles come directly from Marty. She shares her wisdom and knowledge from her heart while inspiring and empowering change in peoples’ lives.
These resources have been gathered and are being shared for the purpose of continuing Marty’s mission to create adults and children who believe in themselves so strongly that no one – not even the bully – can steal their confidence from them.
MARTY L WARD BOOKS
CARE MAXIMIZE YOUR PERFORMANCE TRAINING
A tribute is defined as an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration. Marty impacted the lives of many, from family and friends to colleagues, her community, and far beyond. If Marty touched your life we encourage you to leave a tribute. Let’s keep her work and legacy alive by sharing stories of love and gratitude.
Marty touched the hearts of many in this community and beyond. She was generous with her talents, abilities, and gifts. I was inspired by her drive and determination to make a difference and have an impact on the world. Marty touched my heart and taught me how to breakdown, analyze, and better community my feelings. When I say things like, “I think” I hear Marty saying, “stop that Tracy you know exactly what you want, just say that!”
I miss Marty dearly! It was my honor to work on this legacy website so that Marty’s story and teaching could continue in her absence and still have a positive impact on the world.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing spirt! Marty had an impact on our family through her material. Years ago when we first met her and began her coaching program she gave me a laminated Parent Pledge to Create Confident Kids and it remains on our refrigerator to this day. Marty was kindhearted and so very generous. I will always remember her that way and be grateful for knowing her. Thank you so much for putting this legacy page together, it is a wonderful way to pay tribute to a remarkable woman!
She will always be remembered
Marty! To me she was a quiet, almost shy lady eagerly asking my thoughts about her wardrobe for a scene in our acting class.Then, to learn about all her amazing endeavors!
I was honored to participate in her quest to Africa-so many benefited from the clean water
equipment and the self-confidence program she taught. She was truly amazing!
Ms. Marty,
She was a beautiful friend and mentor. I will always keep her in my heart and remember what she taught me. Truly an Angel.
I am a graduate of Marty’s training and use it regularly. I remember her talking about everyone’s Talents, Abilities and Gifts. I find it helpful to focus on what I can do for people. Also, I remember her honesty and her willingness to help people. She never sugar coated anything but by being herself, I still find hope in her message.
I just heard that Marty has passed. I met her years ago at a Nathaniel’s Hope event at Lake Eola. She had a table with information that I kept on a whiteboard at home. It inspired me and especially my son who has Asperger’s. He had issues at the time with shyness, and confidence in social situations. She was so kind to him, and encouraging. She gave us a kind of chart that was inspirational. I never ended up doing the training because it was going to be a drive for me and hard with our schedule. Anyway, I just found her card and I tried to get to her website but ended up finding this one, and I am sorry to hear of her departure. my condolences to her family. She was a special woman. My son has NEVER forgotten meeting her because she said some things to him that lifted him up and made him feel confident immediately. He felt seen and heard by her. She was so kind to him. What a wonderful, loving human being.
Marty’s work continues to have a lasting effect. I heard from one of her students, Sanya Rogers thru Facebook. He is grateful for all Marty did to help with tuition for his studies in Health Informatics and Medical Records. He is happily graduating on May 26th 2023. Here’s what he said to me:
…my sponsor was a missionary lady called Marty L Ward from USA Florida state, but unfortunately she died and I believe she went to meet God because she was such a kind woman who loved God and all his creatures
Yes she was, Sanya. Congratulations on your graduation! thank you Marty, your legacy lives on. She was a kind woman who loved all God’s creatures. It was my honor to hear from Sanya about his success. Thank you Marty, your legacy lives on.