Radio Interview November 22, 2016
Norma Burnson, Veterans for Earth
Eco Solutions with Sara Troy and her guest Norma Burnson
Norma says that she joined the U.S. Navy 10 days after my 18th birthday.
Boot camp took place in Orlando, Florida. Eight weeks later, my first tour of duty was at the Naval base in Rota, Spain. It was the beginning of my freedom, and total happiness.
I met my husband, Kevin. We have been together 50 years, and have never been separated since.
We traveled throughout Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Germany, Gibraltar, Morocco, Japan, Taiwan, enjoyed a lovely cruise around the Caribbean, and visited Mexico as well.
Upon returning to the States, I used my G.I. Bill, and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago. I was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, the oldest ( date) and most prestigious honor society in the United States. Then I spent a few years taking classes at The Art Institute of Chicago.
From there I worked as an International Trade Specialist, involved with the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry, spearheading seminars. In addition was head of the membership committee for the International Association of Greater Chicago and
WIT, Women in International Trade.
Amongst other rewards, I was honored to receive The International Women’s Leadership Association, in recognition for my contribution to Family – Career – Community, recognized as a Woman of Outstanding Leadership.
Their Story Matters
with Sara Troy and her guest Norma Burnson
on air from November 22nd
In my heart and soul I am happiest in a garden. I believe that a garden is the closest we’ll get to God while here on Mother Earth.
Journaling since the age of 12, it wasn’t until I reached the age of 58 that I began writing books. Now I am working on my 3rd book, "Sustainable Food for the Globe; Future Pioneers, The Children".
Sustainable Food for the Globe stands for wholesome food production, rescuing wasted food and educating our "Future Pioneers" to become ethical stewards of all things found us – here our home, Mother Earth. She believes in our ability to sustain our world through education and innovations. Sustainable Food for the Globe stands for wholesome food production, rescuing wasted food and educating our "Future Pioneers" to become ethical stewards of all things found us – here our home, Mother Earth. As a co/founder of Energime University she believes in our ability to sustain our world through education and innovations. http://energimeuniversity.org
In 2013, Mrs. Burnson received the Delegate Award from The International Women’s Leadership Association in recognition of services rendered to our country as a U.S. Navy Veteran and for demonstrating leadership in both national and international business arenas; for dedication to her community as a college professor and mentor; for being a sustainable food activist and humanitarian.
On Earth Day 2015 the second book in the series Sustainable Food for the Globe, Everyday People Producing Food in Abundance became an overnight 5 star bestseller.
Earlier this year, Mrs. Burnson was invited to participate in The United Nations Environment Assembly, in short UNEA.
The UNEA is the house where representatives from all peoples and sectors of our societies such as parliamentarians, local authorities, indigenous peoples, civil society, business and the private sector, the scientific and academic community – and all peoples in general— can have a say in the design of the solutions for our planet’s health.
In 2014, she was active in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Assembly, and in 2013 participated in the United Nations the World We Want Assembly.
In the early 90’s, I established my own company. My work consisted of setting up the International Trade Department for manufacturing companies. Either in house or off site.
I had the great opportunity to teach a class on International Trade at Oakton Community College for 8 years.
This was when my health began to deteriorate, and I received the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, on top of chronic asthma.
Confined in bed, (30 years) I used my time painting, needlepoint and reading. One day, out of the blue, I received an invitation from Sir Richard Branson to participate in a zoom meeting.
Sir Branson had invited entrepreneurs from all around the world to work on Plan B, because Plan A was leading us towards non sustainable practices.
Stuck in bed, I realized I could help the cause by writing, and that way become an active participant working towards Plan B.
That is when Sustainable Food for the Globe came to be. To date I have participated in the MIT Solve Lab Challenge Team Leader (2016, 2017), authored 8 books, and have 3 other projects in the making, including TheSustainable Food for the Globe Foundation.
In addition I got involved with the Global Citizens Circle. Since Sustainable Food for the Globe’s inception, I have met movers and shakers from around the world. All sharing their advocacy of healing Mother Earth, and working for the better good of all.
Sustainable Food for the Globe champions food production, food security, rescuing wasted food, and food deserts.
Due to my fragile health we left Chicago and moved to the country. During the last 6 years, my health has improved, slowly but steadily. Currently, my health issues are Asthma, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, congestive heart failure, kidney deterioration, anxiety attacks, PTSD, insomnia, nightmares, night frights, and cold sweats.
That being said, all my body of work is conducted via an iPa, and an iPhone.
Bedridden, I enjoy working with over 5,000 colleagues and friends from all around the world.
There is one thing that infuriates me, it is when a person falls into the helplessly hopeless, “Someone should do something!” As civilly as possible, my response is “You are somebody, do something!”
There are so many resources available, just by doing a Google search, one can research thousands of topics, find and get in touch with people and organizations that are already working on fixing these problems.
It is a fact that for every problem we are facing on Mother Earth, there is a solution. Unfortunately the very powerful corporations around the world make sure to hide these solutions, especially if that solution hurts their bottom line.
What do I believe?
1) “Together we can keep Mother Nature vibrant and alive”,
2) “A lion is like the truth, all things being equal, set it free and it will pretty much take care of itself”, and the most important of my convictions,
3) A lion is born to face death everyday, fear is not an option.”
Sara, thank you for inviting me for an interview, it is truly an honor.
Contact Information:
Norma Burnson, Author & Publisher
Email: norma.burnson@gmail.com
Books:
Sustainable Food for the Globe
Everyday People Producing
Food in Abundance.
www.normaburnson.com
SFFTG iNews!
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Awards
Phi Kappa Phi, Honor Society
Delegate: The International Women’s Leadership Association, 2013
Delegate Award received from The International Women’s
Leadership Association in 2013, in recognition of services rendered
to our country as a U.S. Navy Veteran and for demonstrating
leadership in both national and international business arenas; for
dedication to her community as a college professor and mentor; for
being a sustainable food activist and humanitarian.
Book Critic
“The Power of Change” by Reda Alioua
1 out of 5 LinkedIn members invited to review the ebook released by
LinkBook Publisher.
Interviews
Interview with Norma Roldan Burnson, Author of “Sustainable Food
for the Globe, One Square Foot at a Time”, June 2012
http://bit.ly/1T9z0bb
Interview with the sustainable food advocate Norma Burnson By Mel
Bartholomew ~ June 2012 Mel Bartholemew was the founder of
Square Foot Garden. At the time, there were over 2 million gardeners
using his gardening system.
Interviewing Author Norma Burnson, December 2013
Interview with the sustainable food advocate Norma Burnson
by Galina Belyaeva ~ December 2013
Interview with Norma Burnson, March 2015
Interview with the sustainable food advocate Norma Burnson
by Ann Miller and Chris Coope on their International Radio Show:
Growing Trends ~ March 2015
Interview with Norma Burnson, April 2016
Interview with the Sustainable Food Advocate Norma Burnson
by Stephanie Chandler, Nonfiction Authors Association ~ April 2016
M.I.T. SOLVE Lab Challenge:
Team Leader 2016
Team Leader 2017
Active:
ALLI, Alliance of Independent Authors
NFAA, Nonfiction Authors Association
Phi Kappa Phi
University of Illinois Alumni
United Nations:
The World We Want To Be, Online Consultant
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) ~ “Implementing the 2030
Agenda.”
Academic Impact, Sharing a Culture for Intellectual Social
Responsibility
The Global impact.”
U.N. Climate Brawl, lead by Professor Gerald Kutney (Canada)
U.S. Navy Veteran, Vietnam Era:
Honorable Discharge.
