Marta, Suzy Yehl 1945–

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Marta, Suzy Yehl 1945–

PERSONAL: Born November 18, 1945, in Chicago, IL; daughter of A. Cholette (a corporate officer) and Gloria (a homemaker; maiden name, Ringwald) Perkins; married James Yehl, May 2, 1964 (deceased); married Martin P. Marta (an attorney), April 21, 2000; children: Michael, Thomas, Timothy; stepchildren: Peter, David, Katie. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Attended Marquette University, 1963–64.

ADDRESSES: Home—2015 North Northumberland Pass, Palatine, IL 60074. Office—Rainbows, 2100 Golf Rd., Ste. 370, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-4321. Agent—Stephanie von Hirschberg, Stephanie von Hirschberg Literary, 565 Fifth Ave., 18th Floor, New York, NY 10017. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Rainbows (support group for bereaved children), Rolling Meadows, IL, founder and president. Workshop presenter in United States and Canada; guest on media programs, including Oprah, Joan Rivers Radio Show, and Today Show. Member of Children and Divorce Resource Network, Family Resource Coalition, and Illinois State Attorney's Task Force for Single-Parent Children.

MEMBER: National Association of School Psychologists, Association for Death Education and Counseling, Stepfamily Association, National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers, National Association of Women Business Owners, Illinois Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

AWARDS, HONORS: Outstanding Woman Award, Women's Day, 1987; Modern Samaritan Award, Alexian Brothers Medical Center, 1987; Distinguished Citizens Award, Elks Lodge of Des Plaines, IL, 1990; Recognition Award, National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers, 1992; American Cardinals Encouragement Award, Catholic University of America, 1992; Justice Berger Healer Award, Children's Rights Council, 1994; Distinguished Service to Families Award, Illinois Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 1995; Franciscan International Award, 1995; Listener of the Year Award, International Listening Association, 1996; award from Points of Light Foundation, 1998; Benjamin Gingiss Service Award, Illinois Humane Society, 1998; Jefferson Award, NBC Television, National Broadcasting Co., 2001; Mercedes Mentor Award, 2002.

WRITINGS:

Rainbows Curriculum, Rainbows (Rolling Meadow, IL), 1983.

Healing the Hurt, Restoring the Hope: How to Guide Children and Teens through Times of Divorce, Death, and Crisis with the RAINBOWS Approach, Rodale Press (Emmaus, PA), 2003.

Author of The Single Symphony: A Guidebook for Single Parents, Rainbows (Rolling Meadow, IL); also author of other curriculum materials. Contributor to the book From the Ashes: A Spiritual Response to the Attack on America; Experience, Strength, and Hope from Spiritual Leaders and Extraordinary Citizens, Rodale Press (Emmaus, PA). Contributor to periodicals, including ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Reader's Digest, Guidepost, Chicago Tribune, and Early Childhood News.

SIDELIGHTS: Suzy Yehl Marta told CA: "My primary motivation is to educate society on the plight of bereaved youth and thereby empower and encourage adults to help them so they will no longer mourn in silence. I'm influenced by the profound honesty of bereaved youth and their plea for help.

"My writing process is from my heart. I put in print what children and teens have shared with me.

"My inspiration is knowing that over seventy percent of our youth today are turning to inappropriate mechanisms to stop the hurt they feel. If we (society) don't step up and help them, their lives are diminished, along with everyone's future."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Library Journal, February 15, 2003, Kay Brodie, review of Healing the Hurt, Restoring the Hope: How to Guide Children and Teens through Times of Divorce, Death, and Crisis with the RAINBOWS Approach, p. 163.

Publishers Weekly, January 20, 2003, review of Healing the Hurt, Restoring the Hope, p. 77.