I am a changemaker because I have developed and launched the first of its kind domestic violence awareness brand entitled, Saving Promise.
Saving Promise is inspired by four generations of mothers and daughters in my family that have survived 60+ years of domestic violence and abuse; and my granddaughter named Promise, now the fifth generation, whose life was threatened in a domestic violence dispute.
Saving Promise’s mission is to build a universal domestic violence awareness brand and movement that will ignite the emotional commitment of the community and make domestic violence a national priority. Through fresh research, awareness and action, we seek to:
- Re-energize research to better assess the root causes and propose new solutions;
- Raise a greater level of awareness through innovative prevention, intervention and education;
- Reform advocacy and bring together the various efforts under one voice, one movement;
- Revive and empower our families and communities to live a safe and healthy lifestyle;
- Reduce the countless individuals, families and communities that are affected by domestic violence.
Any place that allows me to make a difference, whether it’s in my backyard in the Washington DC-metro area, in Wichita, Kansas or across the world in Europe, Africa or Asia. I have a strong fondness and connection particularly to those places where violence against women and children run rampant; and believe that the work I’m doing here in the states, and eventually abroad, will have a positive impact to ending this violence.
Despite current efforts, U.S. studies report that domestic violence has grown to be the leading cause of injury to women ages 15-44, and affects more than 32 million Americans with an annual cost exceeding $5.8 billion dollars. These statistics are dated and do not reflect current data since no national studies are undertaken on a frequent and/or consistent basis. Moreover, the statistics neither include unreported incidents of domestic violence nor data from outside the U.S. With more than three women murdered each day alone in the U.S., and the rising number of people affected every hour, domestic violence is a public health pandemic.
Given the three issues that predominately affect women—breast cancer, heart disease and domestic violence—breast cancer and heart disease are on the decline, while domestic violence is on the incline. Why is this so? I believe it’s so because current models and advocacies predominately focus on a reactive model. If we are ever going to change the stakes, we must begin to invest in and implement more progressive and proactive programs. Therefore, the change I would like to see is a more cohesive strategy where we use the Saving Promise brand and strategy to bring together the disparate advocacies and efforts under one movement, and launch more proactive and preventive measures and awareness models to drastically reduce the number of victims—women, men, children, families, and communities—that are affected by domestic violence.
L.Y. Marlow is the founder of Saving Promise, a national grassroots domestic violence awareness organization based in Washington DC.
An award winning author and former corporate executive—Ms. Marlow brings a new voice and a new vision to this movement. She has survived and overcome four generations of mothers and daughters who have suffered more than sixty years of domestic violence. When Ms. Marlow discovered that her 22 year old daughter was trapped in an abusive relationship—one in which the abuser not only threatened her daughter’s life but also the life of her granddaughter named Promise, now the fifth generation, she founded Saving Promise. Saving Promise is imbued with strong leadership, new energy and strategic timing to take domestic violence inward—into the heart and soul of every individual and upward—to make it a national priority.
Her lifetime achievements includes 20+ years in Corporate America with Fortune 500 companies such as IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Discovery Channel where she served as Project Manager/Executive overseeing and executing strategic technology, marketing and process reengineering projects for government, private and public sector clients. Under her direction, she’s led and oversaw teams upward of 100+ people resources and budgets of $100 million.
Ms. Marlow is the recipient of numerous awards including a 2003 IBM Leadership Award, 2004 and 2005 Black Engineer of the Year Award, 2004 Bravo Award and multiple Project Achievement Awards. For her untiring work and dedication, Ms. Marlow also received an award by one of the highest elected officials—the Governor’s Award, as well as a slew of domestic violence awareness recognition and achievement awards. In addition, Ms. Marlow is an award winning Author whose work has won in excess of eight literary awards and accolades including the National Best Books Award.
Ms. Marlow is a sought after domestic violence advocate and keynote speaker with speaking engagements for John Hopkins Hospital, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Military entities, the State Capital and multiple Women’s Organizations, Colleges, Universities, and Faith-based Institutions.
Ms. Marlow is a Project Management Professional-PMP®, a certified Project Manager and holds a MBA, BS, and AS Degree.
