Articles Inspiring Conversations – Marnie Grundman
We are honoured to have Marnie Grundman, 2019 Women of Inspiration™ as a National Ambassador for Universal Womens Network™. As a 2019 Women of Inspiration Advocate and Catalyst for Change, she continues to lead, inspire and motivate!
Marnie’s story will move you to tears, inspire you to forge ahead through uncertain times and inspire you to take action and lead by example in your own life.
UWN: Every woman has a story. Tell us about your story!
MG: I always say: My past doesn’t control me … it DEFINES me. My past gave me my purpose – to bring visibility to the invisible children lost on the streets.
I was one of those children. One of my earliest memories is that of my mother dropping me out of a 2-story window when I was 5 years old; this marked the beginning of me running away from home. By the time I was 11 I was known by police as a habitual runaway; I was labeled and stigmatized as a problem child. I was also a child who never got in trouble in school, earned good grades and only ran if I was in the sole care of my mother or grandparents.
At the age of 12, I ran away and stayed out all night for the first time, hungry and vulnerable I got into a car with a seemingly kind young man who offered to take me for a meal; he held me captive, raped through the night … that is how I lost my virginity; a word I didn’t even know the meaning of at the time.
By the age of 13, I ended up living on the streets for over a year and a half. I lived on park benches, in abandoned buildings and apartment building saunas. I sat in front of convenience stores hoping someone would feed me … there were many times that days passed without human contact let alone food. I lucked into my first job at 141/2 as a cocktail waitress. For the first time in over a year and a half, I was able to provide myself with a home. I still went days without eating because I often did not make enough to pay rent and eat. Because I was so young even with a place to live, I was far from safe.
At the age of 15, I responded to an ad for a job and ended up being trafficked across the US for labour. I was trafficked for months, working 7 days a week, 14 hours a day for no pay and sometimes only 1 meal a day. I finally broke free in Louisiana and managed to find a job in a shoe store and a pinball arcade.
By 17, I had my first child, Jade – my lifesaver. Her existence was a huge turning point in my life; I did not have the self-esteem to make a better life for myself. Everything I did to make a better life was to ensure that my daughter never knew a day without love or security – the two things I craved the most in the world.
Fast forward over 3 decades later; I am a survivor of incest, sexual assaults, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and domestic violence. I have come through the flames as a strong and empowered woman with the knowledge that NOTHING in this world can ever defeat me or hold me back. My 3 children are all whole, loving amazing human beings. My lifesaving daughter is a beautiful mom to two little boys. I am no longer silent or afraid. I speak out about why kids run, advocate for change so that we can prevent kids from going through what I did. In a world filled with judgement so many people still believe that children who run are trouble makers.
Over 80% of kids who run come from troubled environments. They are running for survival.
On the streets 1 in 5 WILL be trafficked – most for sex and some for labour.
In the past 4 years since writing my book, MISSING a True Story of a Childhood LOST, I have:
- Raised 40K for Covenant House in Toronto
- Been on and continue to be on the committee for the Women Unite Sleep Out Covenant House Toronto (year 4 now)
- Gone to the street with care packages for people experiencing homelessness once a month since December 25, 2018.
- Became a Shared Hope Ambassador to help eradicate human trafficking
- Am a spokesperson for Freedom United to save kids who run from becoming trafficking victims – lobbying congress to provide funding for programs to house homeless youth
- Co-founded #4600AndCounting – an initiative to find missing (and unreported) foster children in the US and Canada.
- Spoken on over 100 television, radio and podcast shows through the USA, Canada, and Europe
UWN: Are you finding inspiration in stories of courage, bravery, perseverance to support you through this time?
MG: As someone who had to find internal inspiration from such a young age I am wholly conditioned to go within during difficult times. I recognized early on the only thing I can control is my thought process and how I determine I am going to push through or better yet rise from adversity. I expect the best from the world around me, I believe humans come together and help their fellow humans during times of struggle. I love and am inspired by the stories of “ordinary” people, they are not what keeps me positive they are the stories that keep me grateful.
UWN: How does it feel to be acknowledged as a Women of Inspiration?
MG: I was taught (brainwashed) that my voice had no value … that I had no value. Being acknowledged as a Women of Inspiration™ is not just a validation of my life mission to de-stigmatize kids who end up on the streets to prevent kids from living my experience; It means that I am being heard, that my voice does have value, that I have value.
UWN: We are honoured to have you part of our journey. Why did you make the decision to become a National Ambassador?
MG: I would love to become a National Ambassador because Universal Womens Network and Women of Inspiration™ aligns with one of my life missions to support and grow women together. I believe that it is phenomenally important that we as women come together and lift each other up and we need more role models across the globe sharing that message through our actions.
UWN: Why is recognizing women in leadership roles critical? Why now more than ever should we recognize the achievements of leaders at all levels, including the unsung heroes.
MG: I believe more than ever our girls need powerful role models to combat the unrealistic world of social media. In a world where equal rights, equal career opportunity, and equal pay should just be, we are sadly not there yet. We need to light the way to support the momentum we want our girls to lead to ensure that by the time they reach adulthood equality is not just a word it is real life.
UWN: How has your adversity, and journey prepared you to lead through a crisis? What is one thing that you swear by that has helped you when faced with uncertainty or a challenge?
MG: My mindset; period. I KNOW that NOTHING is insurmountable. I refuse to accept any other option.
UWN: Has this time of PAUSE given you time to gain a new perspective? What are some of the realizations you have made?
MG: It has reminded me of how fortunate I (we) are. I have adult children with pre-existing conditions. My eldest child who was not supposed to make it beyond the age of 9, let alone ever be able to bear children (she has 2 beautiful sons) is particularly vulnerable right now. They are all healthy. They are all doing well. As I watch my friends who are losing loved ones to this horrible virus I am grateful that my kids are adhering to the self-quarantine and staying healthy.
UWN: How has the Global Pandemic affected you personally and professionally? Tell us how this has changed, motivated or inspired you?
MG: Like many people, it has greatly impacted my income. As a public speaker, there are no paid opportunities at the moment. I love public speaking and I miss the connection it provides. I have had to shift my focus to find other opportunities – that is a place that I have and am accustomed to being. As an entrepreneur and freelancer, I am used to adapting and finding income sources. As a person who has overcome a great deal of adversity, I thrive on it. I expect this to be a huge time of personal and professional growth and look forward to the new life that lies ahead for all of us.
UWN: What words of inspiration and wisdom would you offer for leaders through this historical time?
MG: We will never return to life as usual. Our norm will be altered and I believe it will be for the better; As we come out of this horrific pandemic together we will receive life in a more appreciative way. What we once took for granted we will be consciously grateful for; human connection, a walk in the park, our loved ones, our health, our workplaces, sitting in a coffee shop, going to the gym, the movies … the list is infinite.
UWN: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
MG: I see myself running my own non-profit accomplishing the following missions: Continue to raise funds for Covenant House so that they can expand their services to ensure NO child is on the streets; Tracking and prevention of lost foster children; and create a documentary that provides educations for first responders and educators to prevent children from ending up on the streets and helps to eradicate human trafficking by ending the supply of victims.
