Buckman has been a proud supporter of the United Way of the Mid-South for more than 20 years .
Kathy speaks on the importance of early childhood education at an event for Shelby County Schools .
Each year Buckman associates support many local non-profits , including the Memphis Child Advocacy Center .
Q : Who are your heroes ?
A : My grandfather , Stanley J . Buckman , not only founded Buckman but created a global business in the 1960s and 1970s , which wasn ’ t easy at the time . He also had the ability to motivate others to do great things . I ’ m grateful I had the opportunity to get to know his wife , my wonderful grandmother , Mertie Buckman , a humble , interesting lady who always looked for ways to serve others .
Q : What motivates you to give back to your community ?
A : It ’ s up to us to shape the community we live in . I ’ m proud to serve on the board of trustees of the Women ’ s Foundation for a Greater Memphis , an organization my grandmother started that promotes self-sufficiency for women and children . I ’ m also chairman of the Shelby County Early Childhood Education Plan that is working to provide high quality education to the youngest in our community . In addition , I serve on the board of the National Civil Rights Museum , whose mission is to share the culture and lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement . I also lead the global BuckmanCares initiative , which impacts approximately 100,000 people each year . I ’ ve seen our employees who had never volunteered before have tears of happiness streaming down their faces when they describe their experiences . It ’ s rewarding to have these opportunities to change people ’ s lives .
Q : Buckman has strong connections to the ethanol industry . What do you appreciate about ethanol ?
A : Ethanol helps replace carcinogenic chemicals in conventional gasoline with a clean-burning fuel , which is meaningful to me as a cancer survivor . Ethanol also contributes to America ’ s energy independence and plays a key role in protecting the environment .
Q : What ’ s on your bucket list ?
A : Skydiving , traveling to Norway , and seeing an elephant in the wild .
Q : What ’ s the best advice you ’ ve ever received ?
A : We often can ’ t change circumstances , but we can decide how we respond to those circumstances . It ’ s one of Buckman ’ s seven guiding principles to effect positive change , and it guides me , too . I want to live life to the fullest and encourage others to do the same .
WINTER 2017
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