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Marilyn Steede not only talks the talk, she walks the walk.

A selfless supporter of several Bermuda registered charities, she is the founder and sole participant in an annual 24-hour walkathon that has raised more than $90,000 for local charities.

Marilyn is devoted to helping create better lives for her fellow Bermudians. “I have been told I have a huge heart, but I am only doing what comes naturally to me,” she says. “I love Bermuda, and Bermudians, and I want to help people, particularly those in need in Pembroke West Central and throughout the island.”

She attended Elliott School and St. George’s Secondary. As the third eldest of eight children, Marilyn understood that the financial support necessary to study overseas wasn’t available, so she pursued secretarial studies in the evenings at Bermuda College.

Marilyn has always held executive secretary positions, assisting an organisation’s president or general manager, and is also qualified as a group physical fitness instructor.

Her leadership skills came to the fore during an 11-year career in the Bermuda Regiment. Enlisting in 1985, Marilyn progressed through the ranks to become Warrant Officer Class II, a rank that is difficult to achieve and has traditionally been a male preserve. She was the first female Sergeant to be in charge of a male platoon, and the first recipient of the Sergeant of the Year award.

Marilyn is president and co-founder of the Warrant Officers’ Association, an honourary member of the Bermuda Regiment, and a Registered Charity Grant Maker with the Centre on Philanthropy.

She is a firm believer in setting high standards for herself – and it’s a message that she regularly passes on to Bermuda’s young people.

“Strive to achieve goals beyond your natural ability rather than setting goals that equal your proven ability,” she says. “That is the only way that you can discover what your true potential is.”

Did you know…

Marilyn has, for the last five years, devoted one day annually to walking continuously for 24 hours in order to raise money for charities. To date, she has raised more than $90,000.

A Plan for Pembroke West Central

* Working with Bermuda Police Service to increase police patrols throughout Pembroke West Central, paying particular attention to preventing house break-ins

* Upgrading existing public housing stock and providing additional affordable housing units for those in need, particularly those who have resorted to living in caves by the water’s edge

* Creating an education system in Bermuda that provides every child with the opportunity to reach his or her potential

* Improving the safety of pedestrians in Pembroke West Central by addressing issues related to traffic congestion

* Listening to the concerns of neighbourhood residents, and ensuring those concerns are addressed