Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1126

Tonight's special guest is Penny Booth-Johnson from St Croix Falls, Wisconsin, a survivor and activist who's joining us for the first time. Among other things, she's been involved in "Million March Against Child Abuse," a Nationwide effort to bring voices together in making an impact, being a voice for our children. Penny explains, "My memories go back as far as probably before I was 2, being picked up and thrown into canning jars. I have enough scars on my head and you could draw a road map across country on my scalp." She goes on, "My mother was the abuser. Everyone knew, but no one stood up. Years of her abuse had taken a toll on not only my body but my mind." For a number of years, Penny had been what she calls "a keyboard advocate" sharing very little of herself and hiding behind a computer screen. Recovering from a stroke and news of a brain tumor got her into action. "I knew I had to do something, and determined I was going to become an advocate that was no longer going to hide behind my screen. In September of 2013, I contacted "Million March Against Child Abuse" and became a Lead Coordinator for St. Croix Falls WI, and held my first Walk against Child Abuse April 5th 2014." She concludes, "I'm ready to tell my story. Yesterday I lived in shame of my scars. Today I soar past them to tell other peoples stories, to be a voice. I thank you for this opportunity, and I only pray that when I have the opportunity to tell MY story it will help others come forwards and erase the stigma of shame and we can continue to grow for our future generation."