Color Me Butterfly

Something has struck a cord in me like no other.  A cord that has given me the courage to share my families’ story.  A cord that has given me the passion to want to help other women.  A cord that has given me a voice – a voice that can no longer be silenced.

Coming from a family of four generations (and counting), one of the most resounding questions I am always asked when I travel the country to share my story is:  How could this happen?  How is it possible that domestic violence and abuse can impact one family for four generations?  At first, I was not always able to answer this question… at least not without pause.  But over time, as I learned about my families’ history – our legacy – I’ve come to terms with why this is possible.  It’s possible because of one word:  SILENCE.

The SILENCE from my grandmother to my mother.
The SILENCE from my mother to me.
The SILENCE from me to my daughter.
And the SILENCE within my daugher.

It’s POSSIBLE for us all because of the silence.  Silence in our homes.  Silence in our families.  Silence in our communities.  Silence in our churches.  Silence in our schools.  Silence in our laws.

Back in the early 1940s had my grandfather know that his legacy would be passed down for four generations, I wonder . . . Oh, how I wonder, if things would have been different.  I can’t say.  But what I can say is that I have vowed to break the cycle of abuse in my family – to change our legacy – as a survivor, an advocate, a mother, a woman.

Recently, I was invited to the State Capital to speak at an event to memorialize those whom have died as a result of domestic violence and abuse.  As they read the names of more than 52 victims in the state of Maryland alone – many of whom were children – I could do nothing but pause, drop my head, and pray.  Pray that the silence would not prevail.  You can view the event that was aired on CBS at this link: http://wjz.com/local/domestic.violence.MNADV.2.645945.html

It is astounding to know that a woman is abused every 17 seconds.  At this very moment, somewhere in your very neighborhoods, maybe even your family, a woman is being abused, perhaps fighting for her life.  And so I ask you – I implore you – to stand with me, raise up your voice and break the silence.

While I may come from a family of four generations and counting . . . Still, I will not be silenced!