Tuesday, September 25, 2012


      Noelle Sterne, Ph.D. Academic and dissertation coach, consultant, editor

In this book, Ms. Greene demonstrates a wisdom about domestic violence borne of tragedy. She understands from the stories of her relatives, and her own, how ultimate trust can become the ultimate violation. She learned the hard lessons herself and quickly took steps to extricate herself. But sorrowfully, she could not help her relatives…………………………..

 
BLOOD RELATIVES

BREAKING THE CYCLE… BREAKING THE SILENCE

(EXPOSING THE UGLINESS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE)

                             Read what people are saying about my new book!




Author and Writer Jennifer Brown Banks

In an effort to end this social plague, and to increase awareness of Domestic Violence, the Ina Mae Greene Foundation is proud to announce the upcoming release of “Blood Relatives” by Darlene Greene. This timely guide is part memoir, part self-help, part resource manual. More importantly, it’s a compelling read that could help save a life. Your purchase and support will allow us to continue this important work for women everywhere, and to make Domestic Violence a thing of the past.


Clara Freeman is a writer and author who use her voice to advocate for the rights of women, children and the elderly.

“Every 7 seconds a woman is beaten and abused by a partner or ex-partner. Every 48 hours a woman is being murdered in the United States and 25% of all homicides in this country of women between the ages of 15-24 are relationship or dating related.”

Darlene Greene knows about these and other related statistics when it comes to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. She is a survivor of domestic violence.  In her book, Blood Relatives: Breaking the Cycle; Breaking the Silence, Darlene opens a vein and bleeds her painful truth, which includes the turmoil and questions that would come in the aftermath of the violence inflicted upon a beloved cousin, aunt and younger sister.

 

 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012


 
  
 

Boys to Men


                                Dear Supporters,
               My original plan for today was to blog about the emotional interview of Evelyn Lozada by Lyanla Vanzant; HOWEVER, Something more pressing came to my attention this afternoon when my adult children shared with me that a young man who they went to high school with; who my son played basketball with in high school, left a convention in downtown Dallas Saturday afternoon where my son spoke with him briefly and by all indications went home and hung himself! This young man was 28 years old¸ the same age as my son Jason; I will not mention his name out of respect for his family because as of this writing they had not buried him.
 
                According to Psychology Today young men are more likely to commit suicide than young women. How and why does something like this happen? According to one study the possible main factors for suicide revealed by the participants were: Coping with boy-girl relationships, family issues and stress from school work. More male than female participants indicated relationships with the opposite sex as a contributing factor to the suicide problem. More than any other ethnic group, Chinese students mentioned school work as a main factor in suicide. The same study shows that young men are less likely to seek help during times of emotional distress.
 
                How much pain could this young man have been in to take his life in this manner? As parents we all live for the day when our children leave home and start to make a life for themselves. But how do we prepare them for what they are really going to face in this world? When life gets hard, and it will, what will our children have to fall back on to insure they have the tools to work through the problems of this world? I do not have  all the answers, oh how I wish I did, I can only tell my children to stay close to God in times of trouble (Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me) John 14:1.
                My heart goes out to this young man’s family; I cannot imagine the pain they are suffering right now, the tremendous loss and confusion that is the legacy of a violent and unexplainable tragedy like this one.  I don’t know about you but I still pray over my son, when he is looking and when he is not!
                This world is too hard for them to maneuver all alone; you have to pray on the full armor of God for them Mothers, especially if they are not doing it for themselves! (Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me) Psalm 23:4.
 
                                So on that sad note I leave you with this thought; our sons, although they grow in to men, they are never too big or too “grown" too worry about, too pray for or too offer support and  listen when they need an ear. No matter how hard the outside world will pressure you to let him be a man and work out his own problems, there is no reason we cannot let them be men and still love them, listen to his man dreams the same way we did when they were little boys. No mother should have to bury her child, ever, for any reason, NEVER!

Saturday, September 15, 2012


 

INA MAE GREENE FOUNDATION HONORS NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MONTH

“Sometimes silence speaks volumes…”


There seems to be a culture of “condoned silence” in Black communities surrounding violence.
One perhaps fueled by a popular saying on the streets, “Snitches get stitches.”
And, of course, reinforced by the old-school expression, “Stay out of grown folks’ business.
So, we begin to clam up and shut down.
We look away when we see a sistah’ being beaten, or a teenager innocently killed as part of a gang initiation.
And we silently thank God when this type of “horror” doesn’t beckon at our doorstep.
But, that’s where we’re wrong.  It is our problem.
You see, every time that a kid is killed, it robs us of our collective strength and progression as a Black people. For who knows what future promise that kid had, or what he might have contributed to society had he reached his full potential. 
We could be losing another “Malcolm” or “Martin”.
Every battered woman who is ultimately murdered represents a loss to our church families, to our workforce, to our legacy.  And her abuser?
Well, that’s one more Black man populating the prison roles, adding to yet another broken home and fatherless kids.  
Statistics show that fatherless boys are more likely to become involved in gangs and violent behavior.
So the cycle continues…which leaves us right back where we started.
 It becomes our problem because it makes our communities battle grounds where nobody is winning, and the innocent often serve as casualties.
It’s a problem, because our tax-paying dollars finance prisons for perpetrators, and welfare rolls for many single-parent households.  
But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Together we can make a difference.
Stand up. Speak out. Volunteer. Donate.
“Nobody can do everything. But, everybody can do something.”

In an effort to end this social plague, and to increase awareness of Domestic Violence, the Ina Mae Greene Foundation is proud to announce the upcoming release of “Blood Relatives” by Darlene Greene. 
This timely guide is part memoir, part self-help, part resource manual.
More importantly, it’s a compelling read that could help save a life.
Your purchase and support will allow us to continue this important work for women everywhere, and to make Domestic Violence a thing of the past.


Wednesday, September 5, 2012








Ina Mae Greene Foundation Honors National Grandparents’ Day

 

September 9th marks National Grandparents’ Day.

A time to recognize and reflect upon the richness that grandparents add to our quality of life, and the legacy they provide for future generations.

Their supportive roles not only help to build strong families, but strong communities. From being caretakers, to cookie makers, to secret keepers, they hold a special place in our hearts.

Few would argue, that growing up, they spoiled us, spanked us when needed, and shared stories and lessons that remained with us well into adulthood.

Their sacrifice is often endless.  In fact, many of today’s grandparents are spending their “golden years” as custodial guardians, raising their kid’s kids. This resulting from young parents being addicted to drugs or alcohol, battering in the home, and transient lifestyles. They are modern day heroes.
 
Grandparents give us roots and wings.
Though we can never repay the debt owed to them, National Grandparents’ Day at least affords us the opportunity to show our love and say thanks.

The Ina Mae Greene Foundation wishes a Happy Grandparents’ Day to all grandparents across the nation!

 
Please feel free to share your thoughts or thanks as well.

For more information and resources on grandparents, visit:

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Grandparents.shtml