About L.Y. Marlow
L.Y. Marlow is the third generation of her family to have been a victim and survivor of domestic violence: a violence that almost took her own life and the life of her unborn child. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fourth of five children, she comes from a family tree of strong, triumphant women who taught her the meaning of courage, hope, and love. In her debut book, Color Me Butterfly, she tells the poignant and endearing story of four generations of mothers and daughters: the true story of her grandmother, her mother, herself, and her daughter; and the impact intergenerational domestic violence and abuse has had on her family for over sixty years.
When a health crisis and extreme stress threatened her work and life balance, L.Y. Marlow—who’d climbed the corporate ladder of success one determined step at a time—found herself at a crossroads: continue to allow her life to be consumed by her professional work or to finally raise up her hand and say no more. With that, she threw herself into the research and focus of recounting her family’s story. Readers can’t help but become vested in the emotional whirlwind of this family as they are simultaneously implored to take a realistic account of their own lives.
L.Y. Marlow founded the Saving Promise Campaign, a campaign inspired by her daughter and granddaughter Promise whose life was threatened by her own father in a domestic violence dispute. After being told there was nothing she could do to seek justice on behalf of her daughter and granddaughter Promise, Ms. Marlow decided she could do one thing - fight to change laws and save lives. Ms. Marlow has written new domestic violence policies and is looking to obtain 1 million pledges for this campaign to take to Congress to implore them to change laws. Additionally, she has launched a website and blog that provides unlimited access to domestic violence programs, support, advocacy, and discussion.
L.Y. Marlow is currently working on a new book, has authored a collection of poetry, selections from which are featured in Color Me Butterfly, and the articles “Ten Signs You Are in an Abusive Relationship” and “Ten Signs Your Teen Is in an Abusive Relationship.” Both provide an account of her personal experiences and tips for all women and teens.
An advocate for expanding and enforcing domestic violence education, awareness, and laws, L.Y. Marlow hopes that her life will be a testament and inspiration to the struggles of all women whose story shares the same face.