Andre¿ Hadley Marria is a Christian, wife, poet, therapist, mother, a woman for all seasons, and the author of a new book of life revealing poetry entitled "The Songs I Could Not Sing." A professionally trained singer and mental health counselor, Andre' shares short stories in a poetic style. She shares significant insightful episodes in her life that have created the verses of the "songs" she sings today. Andre¿ graduated from Fort Valley State College in 1973 with a B.S. degree in Music, and in 1975 with a degree in Mental Health Counseling. Her education and training have been ongoing, she considers herself to be a life-long learner and has used her skills thirty-four years in service to the Georgia Department of Human Resources and many other organizations, clubs, and community groups. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. Always seeking opportunities to mesh her two passions, the arts, and psychology, she organized a group called 3-D Whole Brain Productions wherein children were encouraged to exercise mental stretching through the arts. Practicing what she preaches, Andre¿ has delighted audiences with her One- Woman Show performances. Her community work is extensive. She is a Thomasville Entertainment Foundation Board of Trustee, Past Board Chair of Vashti Mental Health Center, a Trustee of Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, a past President of the Rotary Club of Thomasville, and a Distinguished Member of Toastmasters International. The woman she has become is the result of family influence, being a wife of 47 years to Evangelist Walter Marria, Jr., mother to two birth children, two more given by God, as well as eight glorious grandchildren, and having had several exceptional experiences; most notably being a mental health first responder in the 9-11 Ground Zero Red Cross Disaster Relief Effort. They helped shape her perception of life and expanded her capacity for love and spirituality. It is authentically portrayed in this, her first published literary work.
