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Yolanda Marshall
- Female
- Lithia Springs, GA
- United States
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- City You Live In: (Add closest Major City in Parentheses)
- Lithia Springs
- State You Live In:
- GEORGIA GA
- Church Status:
- Member
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- Open
- About Me: (Ministry Info, Hobbies, Fav. Music etc.)
- I am the mother of two beautiful children. I am also the author of From Victim to Virtuous. My ministry is geared toward helping broken girls and women to navigate their way through brokenness so that they can become whole, walk in virtue, and fufill their ultimate purpose in life. I had an experience with God on June 27, 2007 at 7:45 am. It was this morning when He spoke the very words to me, "I delivered you, now you deliver them." This was a profound mandate that I took very seriously. I knew then that I had to accept what God had purposed me to do...it has been a beautiful journey and I plan to continue being a blessings to God's people...EVERYWHERE I MAY GO!!!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Published in The Tennessee Tribune and The Birmingham Times in 2008
Pinson Woman overcomes adversity, victim of domestic violence and abuse, shares story in new book
“When I think of a broken person, I tend to think of a shattered glass…if that glass is shattered, then it is non-effective. People are the same way—if shattered, we can not be effective.” Yolanda Marshall
Birmingham, AL—For Yolanda Marshall, of Pinson, overcoming adversity has not come easy. Receiving a Master’s Degree in Public Management from Troy University in Montgomery in December 2006 reminds her of just how far she has come from humble yet crippling beginnings. The first seventeen years of her life were spent in poverty, helplessly watching as her mother was repeatedly verbally and physically abused by her now deceased father. Violent unwarranted responses to trivial matters were common in their East Birmingham home. Marshall, her mother, and twelve siblings experienced disparaging words, fear, confusion and low self-esteem at the hands of her abusive father.
By age fourteen she had been molested several times. Because of hurt, shame, and fear, she held all this on the inside, until she learned that a younger sister had suffered identical abuse—from the same person. Already battling a panorama of distressing mental scenes, this would add to Marshall’s private turmoil.
Marshall, her sisters, and brothers endured taunts from children in the neighborhood. Ridicule was common at school. She shared clothes with her sister next in age. “What I’d wear one day, my sister would wear the next. The amount of clothes shared between us would have probably warranted the same teasing because we really didn’t have enough to give one of us a decent week’s wardrobe,” she says. “We all shared but for some reason my dad favored the boys more. None of us had a lot, but the boys had more.”
Many of Marshall’s weekends and summer vacation days were spent with siblings, standing in front of a liquor store selling boxes of donuts. This was one of her father’s favorite hustles. “We’d get dropped off and stand out there for hours. We were afraid to approach people, mostly drunken men, some of them making sick comments. This really had an affect on me. I’m sure on all of us,” she says.
Out of everything I’d personally been through along with the name-calling and violent threats my dad made to my siblings and me, all of the embarrassment we faced at school surrounding our dysfunctional situation, it was how my father handled family matters that allowed me to really see how dark our situation was. He would say that he loved his children, but his actions proved otherwise. It was his actions that created a false sense of real—unconditional love. “The love he showed was very confusing,” says Marshall. All this was a contradiction to the Bible studies, and the discussions about Jesus Christ, that we had as a family. This was a travesty to our Christian upbringing.”
Recognized for her natural caring, dutiful, nurturing nature, even by her parents and others at an early age, Marshall feels strongly that mothers or fathers abused in or prior to marriage can’t effectively respond to their children. Withdrawal from interacting and silence in addressing important issues are common among abused spouses, and this translates into neglect of the children, according to Marshall. Sometimes there is the polarity of being overprotective of our children and overly open about mature subject matters. Marshall would soon become a mother, but realized “something” was wrong with her—she was broken. And she now realizes that her brokenness played a part in her not being an effective parent—not until she became whole.
“When I think of a broken person, I tend to think of a shattered glass. The purpose of a glass is to drink liquid from; however, it that glass is shattered, then it is non-effective. And we’re the same way—if shattered, we cannot be effective,” says Marshall.
Marshall feels that her brokenness set her up for seeking the love, attention, and affection from men—she found herself succumbing to relationships that seemingly had eluded her. She was in transition from the age of sixteen to thirty-one. In her case, Marshall feels she sought from intimate relationships what she didn’t get from her parents.
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Marshall became pregnant at sixteen, forcing her to leave Woodlawn High School to attend an alternative school. By age seventeen she had moved out of her parent’s house to live with her daughter’s father. The three lived together two years before Marshall took their daughter and left. The couple, meeting and dating throughout high school, had been together for five years.
Her long awaited haven proved as turbulent as the home she’d left. Her daughter’s father, a known drug dealer at the time, was verbally and physically abusive, threatening her life—once at gunpoint. A scene matched only by her father aiming a gun at her in retaliation for standing up for her mother during a heated argument in her early adulthood. Although she’d stood her ground fighting back in past verbal and physical altercations with her child’s dad, it had taken its toll.
Transitioning from this relationship with her daughter’s father after five years, with only a high school diploma and minimum wage job, Marshall relied on public assistance for food and shelter. Later, it was this freedom from her former relationship and her parents that led to a season of living the party life, frequenting clubs, even succumbing to a gambling habit. During this time she met a former star high school football quarterback.
Desiring a committed relationship, a family, and financial stability, she entered into a relationship that lasted three years. During this time, she had another child, her second and last. She had met her son’s father at what she describes as a season of disillusionment and an indescribable void. After several fleeting relationships that she had felt strongly about, her son’s father seemed ideal.
This relationship brought about a period of self–examination. She finally saw the role she was playing to her and her children’s detriment. “There were shouting matches, physical altercations constantly,” Marshall says. She describes their relationship as tumultuous and in keeping with the pattern of abuse she had accepted, grown accustomed to, but tired of.
This relationship lasted three years. Transitioning led to two marriages within four years, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, from Faulkner University in Montgomery. Her first husband was not physically or verbally abusive, but had cheated on her several times. She describes him as a wonderful man with a good heart, great provider, but simply not ready for a commitment. “His work kept him away for days. When he returned physical intimacy was abundant, but communication and spending quality time was scarce. But the children loved him,” she says.
After growing suspicion over his extramarital relationships had been validated, she decided to separate. Around their seventh month of separation she met and became emotionally involved with the man later to be her second husband. “This was a confusing time. My husband had started trying to reconcile, but I had this man I was growing strongly attached to. He gave me the attention. He and I were more spiritually connected. Mentally and emotionally a wreck, I chose him over reconciling with my husband, despite my pastor’s counsel and husband’s pleas. I did things that hurt my husband at that time that had more to do with my fear of being hurt again. What I went through with my second husband made me appreciate the need to truly be committed to the institution of marriage. Marriage is something we have to commit to for better or for worse. More importantly, we must be patient, sure about ourselves and the other person, no matter what we think either can offer the other person. God knows all, what’s best and who’s best for us. We must always consider the “us” when children are involved.” Marshall was married to her first husband for two years. She married for the second time in November 2003 and was separated in February 2004.
Her second husband had led her to the church in Pinson in 2003 that would serve as the foundation for God to work some small miracles in her life. Her pastor provided the teaching and challenges needed to grow spiritually. Marshall began to see clearly the damage her decisions and brokenness had done to her children. She was where she needed to be, in a church where accountability was everything.
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She had been reading the Bible and praying since she could remember. With a sister closest to her in age, she’d shared the experience of having dreams and what she labels mind movies, that would play out certain events or circumstances that would later come true. These would all diminish over time. She believes her spiritual assets were lost to emotional and mental liability. That is, until recent years. Alone and recovering from the aftermath of both marriages, and sum of much of what had happened in and since her childhood, it would be eight months—the longest she’d spent single since breaking up with her first boyfriend and father of her daughter—before she would meet and befriend, Vince Collins, who she describes as her ministering angel, a true and gifted man of God in the shadows.
In November 2004, 2 years a member of Full Gospel Fellowship Church, she met the acquaintance of Vince Collins, who had joined the church along with his daughters. Marshall and Collins later worked together in Children’s Church Ministry where she was a staff member and Collins was Youth Pastor.
“The second or third time we talked, he told me of a vision he’d shared with a lady he was acquainted with at the time. Following our introduction at church he told this same lady he’d met the young lady of the vision. It’s amazing. The knowledge he had of me prior to our meeting was accurate, his being clear about our purpose in each other’s life was unreal. He knew much of the pain I’d been trying to hide. In trying to protect my family and the way he would perceive me after only a few conversations, I only spoke of the positive aspects of my past and present at the time. As I spoke more about my relationships, he told me things that I’d never shared with anyone, not even my pastor. Three years later I’m whole. Everything that he stated from the beginning of our relationship proved to be true. He helped me to move from religion to relationship with God. This made all the difference in my life. He challenged my thinking. There were things I couldn’t see that I am now able to see. There have been dreams and visions that I’ve shared only with him that have come to pass. Our friendship has been a gift from God. From the beginning he stated that I was special to God. He knew that God had something big for me to do, that we’d help each other get to the next level in fulfilling our purpose in ministry.”
Yolanda Marshall shares more about her life story, along with a power testimony in journeying from a fractured woman to a whole lady—in her first book, From Victim to Virtuous. Described as an inspirational biography, she hopes her story will help women, even girls, identify with mental, emotional brokenness and the dynamics of abuse. She feels that many women will be able to see themselves or others they love and care about in her story. And she hopes they will be able to both recognized the subtle abuses they’ve been a part of as a victim and perpetrator of themselves. Marshall offers comforting prayers and affirmations throughout this book. She believes that they’ll help those who are broken find that inner peace.
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Although written as a self-help book, From Victim to Virtuous can offer hope to women and the men in their lives, giving them the courage to confront their fears, guilt, or shame. She hopes the book will inspire victims and victimizers of past, present, direct and indirect abuses, to speak out and seek help. She believes that seeking help or intervention from licensed professionals, ministerial counselors, police, and other authorities is a step toward self-help. She says, “When we understand the adverse affects of abuse, we’ll love and reach out more, and blame and judge less.”
For several years, Marshall has offered inspirational guidance to women of every walk of life, across religious, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic lines. She feels that abuse does not discriminate. In January 2008, she spoke to a group of women at The Lovelady Center, Birmingham, AL. She would later speak at Jessie’s Place, Birmingham, AL. Marshall says, “It’s been a wonderful experience to share with those who have had some of the same challenges I’ve had in my life—those who have been hurt, abused, accused, used, and felt no love at all—and have been timid about sharing…It’s truly a blessing and an honor to help others along the way on their journey—to navigate their way through brokenness. I have met pastors’ wives who were abused prior to marriage, as well as in their marriages. I’ve spoken with women who turned to substance abuse, sex, and drugs in an attempt to compensate for emptiness inside. There are women who will cheat on their husbands because of a false need created years ago that can go unrecognized. I’ve spoken with those like myself who were also addicted to violent screaming at and attacking our children for the least little thing, or to maintain order and control. There are the subtle abuses like lying to bill collectors in front of our children and disciplining them when they lie to us. Abuse is not about color or religion. My prayer is that I can bless women and the men in their lives according to my purpose in Christ.
From Victim to Virtuous is now released. You can visit www.victimtovirtuous.com for outlets where books will be sold or to order online. To schedule Ms. Marshall for speaking engagements, send mail to: victim2virtuous@gmail.com
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- Website:
- http://www.victimtovirtuous.com
- Favorite Preachers:
- T.D. Jakes, Joel Olsten, Juanita Bynum, and Joyce Meyers
Thanks for taking the time to visit my page. "All positive changes in life come with time and patience" This is just one of my inspirational T-shirt slogans. Please visit my website to learn more about how to get your shirt at www.lovgiftsandapparel.com. There's something for the entire family...men, women, and children.
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Greeting to you in the name of jesus christ,
It's my pleasure to meet you on BPN, I hope that
our meeting would be a sincere blessing in your life.
I'm Liza, I am nice, friendly, Honest, reliable and optimistic.
I wish to have you as a positive friend.
Feel free to In box me ( lizajacob777@yahoo.com )
for more communication. I look forward to have you as a friend.
Have a wonderful sunday, God bless you.
Thank You, Take Care, Until then!
Kind Regards
Liza.
THANK YOU sister Yolanda for your friendship connection! I love you boldly to the shame of our enemies!You enrich me greatly with your presence and I pray that I can increase your life in some way. Your prayers can promptly stay the enemies hand from attacking me ~ causing him to retreat in humiliation & defeat! I pray earnestly for my e-friends believing that you will be fruitful in your divine assignment.
POSSESS YOUR POSSESSIONS~ We shout to the iron gates to open for the King of Glory to come in ~ we have been granted access to go in and take dominion of territories ~ divine rulership has been given to God's people! OUR TRIUMPHANT PRAISE demolish the walls built by that evil lying satan, the accuser and tormentor (who's time is shortened with each new passing day) ~ JESUS the TRUE King of Glory ~ He rules in the Heavens and the earth with ALL power and authority forever more! WORTHY IS THE LAMB OF GOD! Thank you for your prayers for me beloved of God! I am praying for you and your ministry and staff to be covered with blood soaked veils of protection in these days of conquering new regions, jurisdictions, hemispheres & dominions.
Vanessa Anne Gray
Kingdom Ambassador
I am grateful that the Lord allowed us all to enter in 2010!
2009 wasn’t the easiest of years, but through the eyes of faith, I see great things awaiting all of us in 2010. The reason I’m sending this email... the Lord blessed my publishing ministry with an awesome door of opportunity and we are looking to do even greater works on this year!
Years ago, I wrote a book titled I Will Do A New Thing In You. A local ministry asked if I would allow them to include the book as a gift to women incarcerated. We want to do the same next year.
Write The Vision Publications www.writethevisionpublications.com, is looking to publish a book titled: Women Of Great Faith. I need your group’s participation. The book will be comprised of messages by women of great faith.
The process is simple. With your permission, we would publish a message of your choosing. All you would need to do is submit your message (500 words or more) along with your contact information, in word format to info@writethevisionpublications.com. We anticipate having the project completed by the end of February 2010.
Although we are not in position to offer monetarily compensation, once the project is complete, we will send you a complementary copy of the book. The ownership of your message will remain your property.
We are sure the Lord will richly bless you as together we bless His people. One thing I can promise you for sure…books have a way of going places many of us may never get to go.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 336-997-2359. God bless you and thank you in advance.
Minister Karen Ribeiro