Category Archives: Women Views and News

Patty’s Turn: New Book, by Mother of Actress Tammy Blanchard, Exposes Lifetime of Harrowing Abuse & Empowers Bold Transition from Victim to Victor

Written from the heart and experiences of Patty Blanchard, ‘Patty’s Turn: It took faith, courage and the love of her children to save her from attempted murder’ sees the author piece together her memories following almost six-decades of abuse at the hands of parents, siblings and lovers. Blanchard’s survival is nothing short of a miracle and, by sharing her story, she hopes to empower millions of abused women to take a stance against their malefactors and embark on their own journey to a better life.

Bayonne, NJ — (ReleaseWire) — 11/1/2014 — Memoirs about abuse are certainly not rare, but hardly any span a lifetime and come from the family members of those in the public eye. Tammy Blanchard may be known to audiences and critics around the world, but her mother Patty has kept quiet about her own life, until now.

‘Patty’s Turn: It took faith, courage and the love of her children to save her from attempted murder’ fuses a tragic life story with an inspirational message of hope.Synopsis:

This is the memoir of Patty Blanchard, one of 14 children raised in a tough Jersey City family during the 1950s. Patty survived many things during her childhood, but it was the attempted murder she experienced as a mother-of-three that helped her discover what courage, faith and the love of family is really all about.

“I start right at the beginning, aged four years old and at the hands of a physically-abusive mother who had six kids packed into a cramped Jersey City flat without enough beds, clothes and often just stale pieces of bread for dinner,” explains Blanchard. “My baby sister died of Croup and I became the punching bag for my mother’s grief, who physically and mentally abused me for the next decade and a half. We also lost a brother, Arthur, who was murdered at fourteen. I left home and married an older man when I was just seventeen. This was my ticket to a new life, or so I thought.”

Continuing, “He and my next husband abused me. At the age of thirty-two I packed up my belongings, my kids and we set off on my promise of a better life. Things were looking up as I built a successful cleaning business from the ground up and was both confident and independent for the first time in my life. I was determined to stay away from abusers. But at the age of thirty-five I found myself fighting for my life, with multiple hammer wounds and being left for dead. Somehow, through the grace of faith and love of my children, I survived.”

Patty didn’t write her book for commercial gain. In fact, it started as personal therapy.

“My therapist asked me to write down my thoughts and memories as they came back to me. I did this for years but didn’t ever read my notes back. Over twelve years I accumulated more than four-hundred pages and the power of my words caused me to break down when finally reading them. I decided to compile them into a book to help others facing the demons of abuse. If I can help just one person avoid a life like mine, then I’ll see it as a huge success.”

Since its release, the book has garnered a string of rave reviews. Charlotte McNamara comments, “I absolutely loved this book! The writer was very brave, honest and real. Some like to portray” our lives to be perfect. Some of us like to read what really happens in someone’s life, whether good or not so good. This writer however captured my soul. Reading of her childhood and through her life was a heartfelt and left me in tears. Tears for that little girl, tears for that struggling teen …tears for all the other women who can’t tell their story, but sometimes can identify with some things in her book.”

River View Observer adds, “An excellent read -a real page turner about an American family and a young woman’s abusive life and triumphant return from an attempted murder on her life by a former spouse. Ms. Blanchard has created a road map for women looking to move past abusive relationships to a place of empowerment.”

‘Patty’s Turn: It took faith, courage and the love of her children to save her from attempted murder’ is available now: http://amzn.to/1usDPU9.

About Patty Blanchard
Patty will celebrate her 60th birthday on Nov.3th with her 3 children, William, Tammy, Thomas and her 4 grandchildren, Ava, William, Kaylee and Jaidah. Patty can finally say she knows what true love is, she met her soul mate Joe and has been skipping down the road of happiness for the past 8 years.

www.facebook.com/pattysturnbypatriciablanchard 

Dress for Success and Prom Dress Clothing Drive

(BAYONNE)The GFWC Peninsula Women’s Club will be conducting a Dress For Success and Prom Dress Clothing Drive on Saturday, March 2, 2013. On that day, club members will be available at the Richard L. Korpi Ice Rink between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm to accept donations.

 In 2012, the PWC’s successful Prom Dress collection enabled 28 local girls to attend their proms and graduations in style! Please think about donating your gently used, special occasion and bridesmaid dresses to this worthy cause.  In addition to dresses, the PWC will also be accepting shoes, jewelry, handbags and accessories to help the girls feel even more like Cinderella. Garments of all sizes will be accepted. Plus sizes are especially needed. Continue reading Dress for Success and Prom Dress Clothing Drive

The Miss Black New Jersey USA and the Miss Black New York USA Pageants

            miss-black-nj-bannerWhat’s the very first thing that many individuals think of when asked to describe a beauty pageant? Well, for many, it’s often a process focused mainly on looks that’s easily stereotyped as a shallow process. However, those who are quick to judge should take a look at the respective Miss Black New Jersey USA and the Miss Black New York USA pageants.

            First and foremost, these affiliates of the Miss Black USA pageants

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STOP CLIPPING AND START CLICKING! A&P ANNOUNCES FIRST ONLINE COUPON PROGRAM IN HUDSON COUNTY

a-and-p-image001Consumers Can Now Upload Digital Coupons to Their Store Loyalty Cards to Save on Leading Brands
 As the economy continues to strain budgets, consumers are more concerned than ever before with saving money and finding ways to get the best deals possible. The A&P supermarket chain has teamed up with Zavers, a digital promotions company, to give consumers an easier way to save money without having to clip or remember paper coupons every time they head to the store. Continue reading STOP CLIPPING AND START CLICKING! A&P ANNOUNCES FIRST ONLINE COUPON PROGRAM IN HUDSON COUNTY

Hudson County Community College and WomenRising to Host Domestic Violence Awareness Month

vigil_2 The Office of Student Activities at Hudson County Community College and WomenRising, Inc. have collaborated to host a candlelight vigil in observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the College’s Student Lounge, 25 Journal Square (adjacent to the Journal Square Transportation Center) in Jersey City. It is free and open to the public.

“Given the numerous incidents of domestic violence – among both celebrities and private citizens – that have been reported in 2009, and the increased risk of abuse occurring due to current economic conditions, this event could not be more timely,” said Ophelia Morgan, Director of Student Activities at HCCC. “It is our hope that as many who are able will come out to educate themselves.”

During the vigil, there will be information booths, an open forum and candle lighting ceremony.  Actress Lisa Regina will perform a monologue titled “A Write to Heal.”

For more information about this event, please contact the Office of Student Activities at (201) 360-4199, or Margaret Abrams at WomenRising, (201) 333-5700, ext. 544.
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