by Debbie Coffey

Marti Oakley was a force to be reckoned with.

Marti hosted, or was a guest on, over 1,800 radio shows. Not only did Marti host her own blogtalk show, TS Radio, she started the show “Voices Carry for Animals” and TS Radio Network, in order to host other radios shows and cover as many issues as possible.

For over 15 years, (since 2008) Marti wrote articles on her blog, the PPJ Gazette. Marti was a Proud Political Junkie (PPJ). She spoke at the Whistleblowers Summit in Washington D.C., and hosted a radio show called “Whistleblowers!” (in coordination with Marcel Reid and the Whistleblowers Summit) to give whistleblowers support and a public voice.

Marti used her voice, and considerable strength, to help those who were most vulnerable. She brought national attention to the issue of guardianship abuse.

Marti had a photographic memory, and was one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. She used to tell me that one of her favorite things to do was to stay up late drinking coffee and reading Black’s Law Dictionary.

Marti railed against corporate, judicial and governmental corruption. She cast a spotlight on the aspects of many issues that weren’t being covered by mainstream news. Marti wrote and posted articles about the plight of black farmers and small farmers, the USDA, Monsanto, veterans, wild horses & burros, public lands, HAARP, hospice, vaccines, biosludge, and many other topics.

You name it, and Marti knew a LOT about it. And, thankfully, she was always happy to inform you of facts that you might not know. I could listen to her for hours. We didn’t agree on everything, but we respected each other and we both liked knowing many sides of an issue.

Marti was also fearless in expressing her opinions. I loved her for that.

Marti encouraged me to write my first article, and to start a radio show (“Wild Horse & Burro Radio”). That first radio show led to 6 years of radio shows with many guests, and included topics about abandoned mines, glyphosate (Monsanto’s Roundup), the trafficking and killing of wildlife, public land swaps and fracking wastewater being used to water crops.

Marti loved being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She wanted her work to make the world a better place for her family, and for all of us.

Marti was a fiercely loyal friend, and although I’ll miss her, I’m glad that she was in this world and feel lucky that she was a part of my life.