Madonna teaches with wit, wisdom, compassion, and candor. Her compelling presentations to students, educators, and business leaders impart critical life lessons such as gaining hope and developing resilience.
Teaching Valuable Lessons
Madonna demonstrates how adversity can be overcome with perseverance through her fascinating life story. By sharing her experiences, she teaches how love, commitment, and compassion help in conquering life’s challenges.
Through her lessons, Madonna aims to awaken a powerful appreciation of civility and respect for human dignity in different communities.
Conquering Challenges With Love
About Madonna
Her Story
About Madonna:
Madonna was born on the Pensacola Naval Base and was raised in the conservative white suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts during the 60s and 70s. She was the only African-American student in her elementary school class. Her parents overcame incredible obstacles of discrimination to provide their family with the American dream of a suburban middle-class lifestyle.
DEVELOPING DETERMINATION
Despite her creativity and talent, Madonna faced bullying, racial prejudice, and isolation at school due to the color of her skin. At that time, many white parents would not allow their children to play with her, which is why she only had a few friends.
Although nailing her school play auditions in high school, she was not allowed to be cast as anyone’s sister, daughter, wife, or girlfriend. She was only allowed…
to narrate and emcee events. When she wanted to try out for cheerleading, she was told that only white girls could be on the squad. For her, high school was miserable, lonely, and punctuated by bullying.
The pain, loneliness, and injustice Madonna experienced could have destroyed her. But reflecting on it now, she recognizes that these adversities taught her how to meet future challenges with determination. It also informed her decision to always treat others with respect and compassion.
As a speaker and educator, Madonna uses her story to encourage students to stay strong and know that change is possible.
OVERCOMING BARRIERS
Madonna attended a private two year post-secondary school Chamberlain School of Retailing which offered an extensive, demanding retailing curriculum. She flourished! Madonna was the editor-in-chief of the yearbook, graduated at the top of class and was the featured speaker at her graduation. She was the recipient of the coveted Muriel M. Cox award for high academic achievement and leadership. Her retail education prepared Madonna to be recruited personally, by the Vice President of Human Relations, into a prestigious retail management/ executive training program in one of the largest department Stores in New England. Madonna also later worked at the corporate office of a national women’s apparel manufacturing corporation.
PIONEERING
Madonna became a pioneering woman of color in the highly segregated east coast fashion industry in the 1970s. During her early career, she encountered institutionalized barriers of racial discrimination and sometimes flagrant bigotry. She overcame these with grace and dignity, achieving a high level of success as a fashion merchandiser, runway model, and fashion show commentator. Madonna also worked at the corporate office of a national women’s apparel manufacturing corporation.
CALLED TO TEACH
In 1979, Madonna moved to Washington state to embark on a 32 year teaching career. She taught Fashion Marketing in the Tacoma and Bremerton School Districts. She developed an award winning antibullying program, “Dare Not To Swear!” and an inclusivity program for students with disabilities. She partnered with area high schools and a junior high to create the award winning “Flights of Fancy” Fashion show for students with disabilities. Madonna was recognized for her excellence in teaching at the statewide and national level!
RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
Madonna taught Fashion Marketing for 32 years and received over 30 teaching awards. Highlights include:
- Milken Education Award
- 2x Washington State Vocational Teacher of the Year
- 2x Washington State Regional Teacher of the Year
- Recognized as the 969th Point of Light by President George H. W. Bush
EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS
Since her retirement as a teacher, Madonna dedicated herself to inspiring others in developing their talents. She motivates individuals to survive and thrive in every challenge and empowers them to share their gifts with the world.
LIFE TODAY
As a retiree, she continues to win awards as a senior athlete in track and field and as a member of Toastmasters International she particaptes in international speech contests.
PASSIONATE ABOUT SERVICE
Madonna engages audiences of all ages and walks of life with her dynamic lessons and entertaining storytelling. She is genuinely passionate about motivating people to achieve their goals.
Her spirit is born of great love and desire to see every person rise to their full potential. She aspires to see individuals be inspired with the courage to achieve the purpose they envision.
Madonna will inspire you!
PODCAST INTERVIEW REVIEWS
MADONNA B. HANNA
Awards and Recognitions
Youth Leadership Project Recognitions
2012
Competed at International DECA Leadership Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah
2012
Fifth Place Washington State DECA Leadership Conference Competition, “Clean Up Your Mouth…Brush….Floss and Dare Not to Swear!” Community Service Project, Bellevue, Wa ( Eligible to compete at International DECA Leadership Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah
2011
13th Place Washington State DECA Leadership Conference Competition- “Clean Up Your Mouth…Brush….Floss and Dare Not to Swear!” Community Service Project, Bellevue, WA
2010
Seventh Place SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, Community Service Project “Dare Not To Swear!”
2010
First Place SkillsUSA Washington State and Regional Competition, Community Service Project “Dare Not To Swear!”
2009
Competed at the International DECA Leadership Conference, Anaheim, CA)
2009
2nd Place Washington State DECA Leadership Conference Competition, “Dare Not To Swear!” Publicity Campaign, Bellevue, WA (Eligible to compete at the International DECA Leadership Conference, Anaheim, CA)
2007-2008
Milken Family Foundation Festival For Youth Grant (“Dare Not To Swear!” Community Service Project
2007
Washington Education Association (WEA) Human and Civil Rights Student Involvement Award and Grant (“Dare Not To Swear!”)
2002
Bronze Medal- National Leadership and Skills Conference: Beautiful Differences Community Service Project (SkillsUSA VICA)
2002
First Place Washington State SkillsUSA VICA Community Service Champion: Beautiful Differences Community Service Project
2002
First Place WA. State Regional SkillsUSA VICA Community Service Champion Beautiful Differences Community Service Project
2001
Awarded Milken Family Foundation Festival for Youth Community Service Grant: Beautiful Differences ($3,000)
2000
Awarded Milken Family Foundation Festival for Youth Community Service Grant: Beautiful Differences Community Service Project ($5,000)
MADONNA B. HANNA
Education Awards / Recognitions
2008
Kitsap County Boys Scouts of America Service to Youth Award
2007
Kitsap Sun/Kitsap Credit Union Healthy Tomorrow Award- Community Service Award
2003
Outstanding Author- Washington Organization for Reading Development (W.O.R.D.) State Council for the International Reading Association
2000
Olympic Educational Service District 114 Teacher of the Year
2000
Region V- Association for Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Nominee
2000
Washington State Career and Technical Teacher of the Year
1999
Milken Family Foundation National Educators Award
1999
Olympic Educational Service District 114 Teacher of the Year
1998
Washington Education Association-Human Rights and Relation Award: Flights of Fancy Fashion Show
1997
Washington Vocational Association (WVA) Outstanding Teaching Program Award - Flights of Fancy
1993
Washington Federation of Teachers Award of Excellence
1992
Recognized by University Place Black Parent Association in honor of the Daily Point of Light recognition by President George Bush Sr.
1992
Recognized by Disney as an American Point of Light
1992
President George Bush Sr. recognizes the Bates Buddy Program as 969 Daily Point of Light.
1992
WVA Outstanding Teaching Project-The Bates Buddy Project
1991
KSTW Channel 11 Washington State Class Act Teacher
1991
Washington Federation of Teachers Award of Excellence
1991
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Certificate of Commendation for Community Service
1991
Washington State Vocational Education Contributor of the Year
1990
WVA Teacher of the Year
WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENCES
