Brave and Unbroken

It started with a photograph, a lump and a diagnosis. Like so many other families, hers would never be the same. But her family never was like others...

It started with a photograph, a lump and a diagnosis. Like so many other families, hers would never be the same. But her family never was like others... In Brave and Unbroken, Pennie Saum weaves an unforgettable story of sacrifice and hope. Years of being shuffled between army bases left Pennie, her mom, and brother rootless and vulnerable to the manipulations of a truly evil man. Against the odds, Pennie learned to negotiate a childhood filled with a terror no one should know while caring for the only protector she ever had. This heart-wrenching tale illustrates the manipulation and abuse that shaped Pennie as she transitioned from child to mother. Her story shows us how abuse, shame, and silence has the power to echo through generations, but also how with awareness, it can be stopped in its tracks.

Pennie Saum is a survivor, advocate, workshop leader, and speaker who has dedicated her life to helping victims use their voice to move through trauma and grief. She was instrumental in the passage of HR1103, "The Child Abuse Accountability Enhancement Act," which was signed into federal law in 2017.