INNOVATION and INSPIRATION

I discovered the Edison Awards were being presented a few blocks from my home in Fort Myers, Florida. The event celebrates the genius of Thomas Alva Edison, the man who discovered the power of artificial light without AI to guide him. His spirit still inspires those who pay tribute to his sense of discovery. This short video provides a glimpse of the global talent this two-day event awarded.

The 2026 Edison Awards

Jacob Altarkawi of Shaw Industries attends Meet The Innovators Forum with fellow innovator

43rd. Gov. of Florida Jeb Bus champions Edison Award Winner The Everglades Foundation

Huiwen Zhao of AkzoNobel enjoys the Edison Estates Welcome Reception

Achievement Award Honoree NBA Commissioner Adam Silver chats with friends at Edison Estates reception

Marta Speaks at The 61st North American Invitational Model United Nations Conference

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What an honor to receive an invitation to speak at the NAIMUN Conference held in Washington, DC, on February 16, 2024

Dear Ms. Elva, I would like to formally extend an invitation to you to serve as a committee speaker for the 61st Annual North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN). Your professional interest in socio-political dynamics throughout Mexican history will capture the attention and imagination of the 30 high school and college students who will partake in our, “Las Soldaderas: Heroines of the Mexican Revolution” committee.”

Dear Ms. Elva, I wanted to ask if you would potentially be able to speak at another committee, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This committee focuses on the Feminization of Poverty and Structural Violence and Femicide. It is a bigger committee, with 180 delegates.”

THANK YOU NAIMUN,this was truly an inspiring experience! Congratulations on your remarkable achievement.

Delegates converse in Washington Hilton lobby.

Marta Elva addressing “Las Soldaderas: Heroines of the Mexican Revolution” Committee.

Marta Elva addresses the Commission on the Status of Women.

“My Matlacha Courtyard” was awarded the 2024 Island Odyssey Award by the Alliance for the Arts and the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau of Lee County, Florida during the award ceremony on Friday, September 20, 2024.

My three-minute film documents a glimpse of nature’s amazing sights and sounds on the Matlacha Preserve in Matlacha as I experienced it during my time as a resident of this wonderful community.

“We cannot replicate memories but we can remember and cherish their beauty,”

Filmmaker Marta Elva Rangel Gibbons