Edna Ranck: A Life of Service, Insights, Advocacy and Connections

Edna Runnels Ranck, 1935-2020, left an indelible mark on our field as a director, researcher, historian, author, and tireless advocate for children’s rights. In these capacities, she worked at local, state, national and international levels, in government, academia, private and nonprofit sectors, including serving as past president of OMEP-USA (a global organization for early childhood), author (including for Exchange magazine,) and founding member of the World Forum Foundation Working Group on Children’s Rights. In the words of her step daughter Chris Ranck Bell, “She has been a great source of strength for me over the years, grounding me with her sage advice and succinct wisdom. I have always felt more optimistic about life in general after a letter from or conversation or visit with Edie… Fun loving, silly and endearingly quirky, yet intelligent and well educated, Edna was highly renowned in the field of early childhood education. I am wrecked and broken over her sudden passing, but am comforted by the fact that I was able to talk to her on the phone less than a week before she passed, express our love and how much we have meant to each other over the years. Forever cherished memories, forever in our hearts, rest peacefully Edie.”

Members of the Working Group on Children’s Rights offer these additional memories and tributes to this unforgettable woman.

Edna was kind, warm and affectionate, and always an advocate for the rights of the children everywhere.
–Maria Thereza Marcilio, Brazil

Edna was always the very first person to sign up for the World Forum and a major help in starting the working group on children’s rights. Thanks Edna!
–Pam Boulton, United States

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For over three decades Edna was a great friend of Exchange and the World Forum. She was one of the very first subscribers and contributors to Exchange and she was always the first person to register for World Forum events. Her deep commitment to children and families will long be remembered and appreciated.
–Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer, United States

Edna and I really connected after my first World Forum presentation. Some of the audience questions had been beyond my ability to answer at the time. I remember feeling defeated and embarrassed. Edna approached and said she was so inspired and moved by my presentation, and asked permission to quote me in an upcoming presentation. That interaction shifted the trajectory of my life in a major way!
–Sam Hall, United States

Edna and I shared an unusual love for Walt Disney (the person) and the history behind everything Disney, as she researched Disney for decades.
–Angela Fowler, United States

Edna was always deeply passionate about her focused work, and in the last few years she traced new and emerging themes in researching Disney’s influence over time. We talked about these themes through research and the experiences of my grandchildren.
–Karen Graham, Wales

Edna always had a very sharp eye for context, often making surprising but rich connections. Her article “Would ‘Alice’ Ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child?” was a testament to her amazing capacity to process others’ thinking. I’ll truly miss her vivid mind, warm heart and fiery passion!
–Kirsten Haugen, United States