Brittle Never Broken / Lettra Press LLC (ePub)

Marvina Sims is passionate about reading, writing and researching. As a result, her college majors were English and Library, and a minor in creative writing. During her service at the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board as an Equal Opportunity Specialist her position as editor and publisher of the quarterly newsletter, OEO Times, is what catapulted her into pursuing a career in writing. Her personal experiences as a victim of abuse, along with her desire to help other victims, and perpetrators in abusive situations is what inspired her to become a certified Domestic Violence Advocate and an intervention specialist in the Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP). Marvina has also acted in various live stage performances, movies, and web series. In her youth, she was shy yet empathetic. Finding it challenging to verbally express her deeply felt emotions she journaled. Today, though no longer shy, her empathy is amplified. As a result, impactful events and emotionally touching moments are expressed via poetry, prose, short stories, and creative non-fiction. In 2013, Marvina began an organization called WEWIN-Women Empower Women in Need (www.wewinqueendom.org, http://wewin4all.weebly.com, https://www.facebook.com/2LOVEWEWIN/). Her goal is to help empower women and many others who are less fortunate and in need.

Prior to Marvina's birth, her mom, Annie Mae Jones (Ann), attempted homicide and suicide on several occasions. A struggling single mom with three kids, and living within one of Chicago's poorest and dangerous neighborhoods added more stress to Ann's already inundated life. After Marvina is born her mom notices something is physically wrong, but doctors do not detect any problems. Years later Marvina is diagnosed with a debilitating bone disease, which causes her to endure countless fractures, numerous surgeries, and months of hospital stays. But Marvina still manages to get caught up in what many others are doing-drugs, drinking, gambling and indulging in sexual activities prior to legal age. Despite Marvina's tumultuous life, her biggest fear was remaining entangled in the vicious cycle of generational poverty, crime, and substance addiction. For this reason, Marvina was determined to do what was necessary to avoid becoming a statistic. Brittle Never Broken is definitely not your typical rags to riches memoir. In this case "riches" refers to Marvina's ability to remain self-motivated despite relentless afflictions, turmoil, and heartaches. Marvin's bones may be brittle but nothing or no one can break her awesome spirit!