Minerva Blossom was inspired by my friend and Leadership Oklahoma classmate Ronna Vanderslice who has had an amazing career in public education and currently in higher education. Ronna has dealt with terrible tragedy in her life, but she has managed to move forward in life and raise one of the most amazing daughters that anyone could possibly imagine. Like the Greek goddess Minerva who among other things is the goddess of wisdom, art, and schools. You don’t have to be around Ronna very long before you realize that she is wise beyond her years. She has a passion for education and making education accessible and meaningful for everyone despite what challenges they face whether it be cultural, financial or disability. Ronna is another one of those people who isn’t always the loudest voice in the room but when she speaks you should listen. I remember several wonderful conversations that we had about the learning challenges that people with autism spectrum disorder face and the resources that are there for them to help them succeed. Ronna is simply a wonderful human being and we need a whole lot more people like her in the world.