Marti MacGibbon - Fierce, Funny, and Female: A Journey Through Middle America, the Texas Oil Field, and Standup Comedy

Praise for Marti MacGibbon

...noted humorist and inspirational speaker MacGibbon now shares the story of her childhood and adolescence...through a sweeping series of anecdotal, coming-of-age sequences.

Kirkus Reviews

Above all, MacGibbon celebrates her resilience and her willingness to keep laughing. She goes in swinging, and from the first vivid scene, its clear that she is a natural comedian and a wonderful storyteller. As she tackles her difficult adolescence and young adulthood, she seems to ask, What else ya got?

Foreword ClarionReviews

Being a huge fan of Marti MacGibbons first memoir, Never Give in to Fear, I am happy to say that the prequel, Fierce, Funny and Female, does not disappoint! It hits the ground running and never stops. Understanding where Marti came from is intense but her journey is so inspiring, with humor in exactly the right places so that you can't put the book down. The spirit of this book offers hope and encouragement to anyone who feels lost in the systema story for anyone who wants equality for themselves, their daughters, wives or mothers.

Karen Rontowski, comic,
David Letterman and Comedy Central

Martis story is so strong and personal that it is impossible not to be enthralled. As she speaks and entertains, she moves around the room utilizing humor and reality in the perfect balance. Marti has the incredible ability to make both urban 9th graders and their mid-50s teachers laugh involuntarily and then moments later, think deeply about what is important for their respective future moving forward...she delivered a message that will not be forgotten.

Brian W. Moore, Social Studies Teacher,
Holmes High School, Covington, KY

Marti MacGibbon is a dynamic, motivating, and effective facilitator. She provides great insight, and her personality definitely is an asset and her energy resounds...Ms. MacGibbon has a unique ability to be entertaining, professional, humorous, motivational, and informative all in the same presentation.

Jenny Felt,
Department of Human Services, State of Iowa

Thank you for sharing your experiences and your humor with us. The entire room roared with laughter at some of your antics. You are such an enjoyable speaker. I do not believe I have ever seen our crowd give a standing ovation to anyone, yet at the end of your presentation, all were on their feet! I believe you could have had their attention for another hour!

Donna Henry, RN, BSN,
Senior Vice President of Residential and Clinical Services,
Four County Counseling Center, Logansport, IN

Our goal was for staff to feel inspired, rejuvenated, to laugh a lot and enjoy the day. Marti was able to produce those results with her energy and humor. The audience was laughing out loud and even crying with laughter at times. Not only was she funny, but her story of how she overcame barriers in her life was inspirational.

Shelly Todd, Staff Services Analyst,
Health and Human Services Agency, Napa, California

Ms. MacGibbon provides exactly what she advertises, and does so with great authenticity and enthusiasm. I would highly recommend Marti MacGibbon as keynote speaker for other audiences of mental health professionals.

Brittany Yates, MSN, APRN, FPMHNP-BC,
American Psychiatric Nurses Association Kentucky

The presentation you gave was articulate, impassioned, well informed, and humorous but real worldit was an incredible testimony of hope and life...Rarely does our speaker get a standing ovation, which you were given spontaneously for several minutes!

James Lemons, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics,
Indiana University School of Medicine

The audience hung on her every word, both because her story was clearly so authentic, and also because she told it with such expert care. I would make this recommendation based on Martis storytelling ability alone. But perhaps most importantly, her story and the way she tells it is one of empowerment.

Luke Blocher, Director of National Strategic Initiatives,
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Thanks again Marti for your presentation and the work that you do. You are an inspiration of strength and courage. Shame and blame can easily take over ones life and create a rock solid barrier to overcome, but with the work you do, others can see a way to break the trauma barriers.

Peggy Surbey, MSW, Director/Regional Manager,
Indiana Department of Child Services Marion County

Marti MacGibbons presentation deeply touched everyone on
my staff: clinicians, disease intervention specialists, and support personnel at all levels. The combination of humor and tragedy
motivated all of us to a higher awareness and a dedication to those entrapped in a world wrapped in pain.

Janet N. Arno, M.D.,
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine,
Indiana University School of Medicine,
Director: Bell Flower Clinic

Marti MacGibbon is a speaker like no other! Her amazing story of hurtling great obstacles and moving into a life of prosperity and success is what makes Marti someone worth listening to. She uses humor (she is also a standup comic) and emotion to show others how they can change their professional and personal lives for the better. Your group will laugh, cry and make those positive changes in their lives.

Pam Lontos, Consultant,
Author of I See Your Name Everywhere,
Pam Lontos Consulting, Orlando, Florida

Marti MacGibbon was one of the most fascinating guests weve ever had on the show...Even though were a sports talk station, Im always looking for guests who are interestingMarti is certainly that! Her stories are captivating; her delivery keeps the audience listening; and her positivity is nothing short of amazing. Shes an interview that will be remembered by our listeners for a long,
long time!

Marc Hochman,
Host of Hochman and Zaslow Morning Show
AM 790 and FM 104.3 The Ticket
(ESPN Radio Affiliate), Miami

FIERCE,
FUNNY,
AND
FEMALE

A JOURNEY THROUGH MIDDLE
AMERICA, THE TEXAS OIL FIELD,
AND STANDUP COMEDY

MARTI MACGIBBON

Stay Strong Publishing, All Rights Reserved

NOTE TO READERS: This book is a memoir, describing the authors present recollections of her experiences over a number of years. Characters names have been changed, and some characters are composites. Names of some businesses, schools, and corporations have been changed. Dialogue and events have been retrieved from memory and condensed in some cases to impart the essence of what was said or took place.

Copyright 2017, Marti MacGibbon
ISBN: 978-0-9860067-3-9
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015906299

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Printed in the United States of America.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Infinite thanks to my husband, Chris Fitzhugh: you are the love of my life, youve got the heart of a lion, and youve stood by me since we met in 1987. Thank you Yvonne Dauphin, for your insightful editing, and your wonderful sense of humor. Deepest respect and gratitude to all those who get back up when they get knocked down, rise to meet each challenge and setback, laugh in the face of adversity, and never, ever give up. Youre my kind of people!