Marly Cornell — Author
Third Edition of Award-Winning Book . . .
Together We Empower: Rekindling Hope in Rural India
Together We Empower offers a close look at a unique NGO that has been working in partnership with communities in rural India since 1999. The history of Sehgal Foundation illustrates a path of rich progress along with some missteps that resulted in valuable learning. This record reveals the rationale and the hearts behind the organization's entrepreneurial approach to rural development—an undertaking that is deeply rooted in a team culture, collaborative relationships, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of the rural poor.
“A roadmap for development workers and organizations to bring about sustained long-term social change in partnership with communitiese, and a must-read for students of rural development.”
~Deep Shikha, PhD, Department of Economics, St. Catherine University, Minnesota
“. . . a timely publication that serves as an affirming flame in the midst of the sea of despair.”
~from the Foreword by M. S. Swaminathan
Seeds for Change: The Lives and Work of Suri and Edda Sehgal
Seeds for Change documents how Suri and Edda Sehgal, refugees who each escaped dangerous and difficult circumstances as children, came to America as young adults (from India and Germany respectively), met and fell in love, and went on to have more astonishing experiences as talented and visionary business leaders, generous philanthropists, and proud Americans. As a crop scientist, seedsman, and agricultural visionary, Suri became a respected and pivotal figure in the development of the global hybrid-seed industry. The couple then shared their resulting good fortune with those in need around the world. Their personal history is a chronicle of remarkable events and people, but most importantly, an enduring lifelong commitment to helping others that is their family legacy.
“Written in a warm, engaging style, this is a story about breaking barriers, pushing boundaries, forging connections, and planting seeds in the hope of a better tomorrow.”
~Rekha Basu, Des Moines Register
The Able Life of Cody Jane: Still Celebrating
Marly Cornell tells the story of her daughter Cody, a person of joyful spirit and infectious humor who travels, falls in love more than once, commits to a life partner, advocates for others with disabilities, and lives a full and meaningful life — all while managing the challenges of spina bifida. This is a story of determination, love, and the celebration of life.
“The most moving chronicle of life in our special world that I have read. An uplifting must-read.”
~Paul Olson, CEO, Freedom in Wheelchairs
“The Able Life of Cody Jane serves as a reminder that life is simply too short to be defined by others' misconceptions about our abilities.”
~Cindy Brownstein, CEO, Spina Bifida Association, Washington, DC
The Able Life of Cody Jane was published with the support of the Spina Bifida Association.
MARLY CORNELL is an American artist, writer, and manuscript editor with a BFA from Moore College of Art in Philadelphia and an MA from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. She has maintained a painting and writing studio, spoken publicly on art and social justice issues (nationally and internationally as well as radio/TV interviews, and in publications), edited newsletters and book manuscripts, and created art throughout her daughter Cody's life.
However, this work remained secondary as she worked in the corporate nonprofit sector in healthcare, behavioral services, mental health law, and physician/provider recruitment. For thirty years, this afforded her the opportunity to be in close proximity to many of the systems and people that had life-and-death influences on her daughter and their family.
Marly left the corporate environment soon after her daughter's death in 2004 to work as a freelance writer and manuscript editor, with occasional art commissions. She began writing the story of her daughter's life, The Able Life of Cody Jane: Still Celebrating (LightaLight Publications). Prior to its publication in 2011, Marly also cowrote (with Don Warner) Walks on the Beach With Angie (North Star Press, 2008) on the topic of the loss of a child. The book won two Midwest Book Awards and was a finalist for two Indie Excellence Awards and a Ben Franklin Award.
She has served on several nonprofit boards and chaired the Midwest Book Awards program for four years. She maintains affiliations with several social justice and advocacy organizations.
Marly Cornell lives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, with her husband Ernie Feil and their dogs, Noodle, Nicky, and Raji.
CONTACT
Contact MarlyThe talk was presented by Marly Cornell on September 8, 2013 at the Lake Harriet Spiritual Center. The talk is now posted on YouTube. Click here. There are a few dozen photos shown as well. This talk is about how sometimes the hardest “assignments in life” are the most rewarding — and provides some examples of what it takes to have an “able life” as inspired by the life of Cody Jane Ahlburg.