User:Deirdre1722/sandbox

Deirdre M. Griswold Date of Birth: January 25, 1940, Chicago, Illinois Deirdre married Robert Eugene Griswold on June 3, 1963. She had two children from a previous, very brief marriage, a girl Kimberly born June 11, 1960 and a boy Kevin born July 31, 1961both of whom Bob legally adopted. Shortly after their marriage she gave birth to two sons, Robert born March 16, 1964 and Jeffrey born June 7, 1965. She was a stay-at-home Mom for the 4 children, having three in diapers at the same time, before the age of Pampers. Deirdre was always very active in her children's lives. She served as their chauffeur for swim meets, baseball, football, hockey games as well as school plays, chorus, etc. and den mother for girl and boy scout troops. She also participated in the PTA as room other and school field trips and other activities. Deirdre also found time to raise funds for the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org, and was voted president of their local chapter. Beginning in 1972 after the family moved to Minnesota, she helped in the early years of Effective Learning Systems https://www.effectivelearning.com, by registering students for seminars and workshops, and organizing volunteers from among the graduate students to mail out a newsletter every month. In 1974 she developed and taught the Relaxed Speedreading program which was evaluated and approved by the Minnesota Department of Vocational Education. This program was very popular with the general public and organizations such as the United States Army Corps of Engineers. In 1979 Deirdre was selected by the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce as one of the most outstanding women in business. Served as president of Minnesota Fairshare https://www.fairshareonline.org/minnesota-fair-share, lobbied the state legislature, and almost single handedly persuaded the legislature to lower property taxes, which at that time were among the highest property taxes in America. Deirdre invented a total fitness program utilizing mini- trampolines, which to this day is known as Reboundercize. She opened, operated and taught classes in several of her own studios in and around Minneapolis/St. Paul for over 10 years.. Deirdre then helped open and build the reputation of two of the top health and fitness clubs in Minnesota http://www.themarsh.com & https://cityseeker.com/minneapolis-st-paul/413423-flagship-athletic-club, and using her boundless energy, led as many as five workout programs per day, including Reboundercize , Step, and water aerobics classes. She is a gold certified fitness instructor for IDEA, and ACE http://www.ideafit.com & https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/group-fitness-certification/study-bundles.aspx?adpos=1t1&creative=199285438682&device=c&matchtype=b&network=g&campaignid=849345022&adgroupid=46900196327&adid=199285438682&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2uW36ueg2QIVxSSGCh1xMwryEAAYASAAEgKydvD_BwE, and spent many years evaluating new fitness programs for these organizations. She has been widely acclaimed as a personal trainer, and even in her 70's has volunteered her time to teach nine fitness programs per week some of which she designed for people with Parkinson's and other debilitating conditions. In 1984, Deirdre installed a computer system that greatly improved Effective Learning Systems' inventory control, distribution, and product fulfillment for millions of self-help audio programs. She found time to write much of the content, for the Effective Meditation series https://www.effectivelearning.com/about-the-effective-meditations-series, the Walking and Active Life audio programs https://www.effectivelearning.com/shop/category/exercise/?s=walking&s_cs=1# , as well as some of the While -U-Drive audios https://www.effectivelearning.com/about-the-effective-meditations-series, all of which have helped countless thousands of people make positive changes in their lives. After moving to Florida, Deirdre organized golf tournaments that raised large amounts for breast cancer programs such as Susan B. Kohmen, and Bosom Buddies, and even served as an auctioneer for many of these fund raising events.