I was surprised and delighted to learn that she herself had authored two books, one of which (Top Cops: Profiles of Women in Command), documents the stories of women who have achieved great things in the area of law enforcement; the other (Personal Publicity Planner: A Guide to Marketing YOU), helps women climb corporate ladders.

Being an author, however, is only one amongst a long string of Marion's accomplishments.

Her award-winning articles on marketing, diversity, career planning and women in the workforce have appeared in marketing trade journals, national newspapers and magazines - including The Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, The Arizona Republic and the Business Journal of Phoenix.

In addition to being profiled in Working Woman magazine, she was named by Today's Chicago Woman to its list of 100 Women Making a Difference. A past-president of the Illinois Woman's Press Association, Marion remains an active member of the National Federation of Press Women. She has her own publishing company, and a successful jewelry-making business.

When I emailed her with a request to contribute to amazingwomerock.com, Marion responded with enthusiasm.

She was the first woman, other than myself, to post her own story on the site. She was also the first to post tributes (one to her parents, and one each to her friends Penny Harrington and Mary Pat Byrne). AND she contributed THREE articles (Walking on Broken Glass, Networking 101, and Stay Psyched After Success). PLUS, she was the source for the short piece on Amazing Women Writers.

She’s a great writer, easy to work with, supportive and full of good ideas. What a pleasure it’s been to have found her and to work with her – a wonderful new associate and friend who shares my passion for helping women become the best that they can be.