Nina Turner - Grandmas Bones

Bringing a life full of experiences and story to pages of this book, the Senator has created a captivating read.

Lena Taylor, Wisconsin State Senator

Grandma's Bones

Using historic and personal anecdotes, Grandmas Bones provides authentic wisdom laced with abundant charm.

Nina Turners grandma was born in 1913. She was a five-foot tall spitfire born in the South. Although she was small in stature, she was big on keeping it real. Grandmas Bones not only possesses the physical DNA that created Nina Turner, it reveals the spiritual backbone that gave Nina the strength to stand tall through all lifes adversities. Grandma always said, If you cant be the best, then be next to the best. Be so close to the best that nobody can tell the difference.

Grandmas Bones is an inspirational guidebook created to help bring out the best in you.

"Nina Turner has done it again! Bringing a life full of experiences and story to pages of this book, the Senator has created a captivating read. The stories will draw you in with powerful images, vivid details, and a passion for life that is evident in every letter. I'm excited that you are about to read something so powerful!"

Lena Taylor, Wisconsin State Senator

Grandmas Bones is an inspirational journey into memories of the powerful matriarchs in any reader's life. The universal truths deposited into a young Nina Turner by an extraordinarily ordinary woman give insight to the evolution of the contentious legislator, passionate servant, and beautiful human that she has become. Moreover, her personal reflection gives vision and voice to every powerful woman who understands that her greatness was manifested not in titles or positions, but the legacy represented by those she loved enough to teach.

Jeff Johnson, Commentator, Author, and Journalist

I met my sister state senator Nina when we were both relatively new legislators and she immediately touched me with her ability to tell the kinds of stories that make you laugh and cry while you think about the lessons she's trying to teach. While I'm in my own district, I sprinkle stories told to me by Nina of her grandmothers wisdom. Any time people hear me talk about how leaders only need three things - a wishbone, a jawbone, and a backbone - they know that grandma's lessons are alive and well in all of us who believe that caring, compassion, love, and hope are worth fighting for.

Toi Hutchinson, Illinois State Senator.

Grandma's Bones

Copyright 2016 Nina Turner

Published by J. Fine Press

Smashwords Edition

Cover and illustrations designed by: Rashaun Carter

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016933428

ISBN: 978-1523638161

All Rights Reserved

First Print Edition January 2016

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

This book is for your personal use only. No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincident.

To Momma who created me,

And Grandma who made me.

I miss you both every day.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am who I am because of what we all are.

--African Proverb

God has been so good to me. This is my confession and I feel liberated by it. Even in my darkest hours, He has always been there. When I did not think I could see him, He was there. When the sun is shining, or ringlets of rain are racing from the heavens and the rainbow is arched over the aquamarine sky, He is there. He comes in many forms and He works through people. I give thanks for the great and good people He has placed in my life.

My heartfelt thanks to the following people: Jeffery Sr. who is the greatest husband in the world. My son Jeffery Jr. my inspiration to do all I can to make this world a better place.

And much appreciation to my dad, siblings, and dear friend Sherlynn Allen Harris for being a part of my journey.

By Joy Ann Reid

Author and National Correspondent, MSNBC

Nina Turner is a force to be reckoned with. It seemed like she jumped off the television screen and into my consciousness as I watched her emerge into national prominence as a frequent guest on MSNBCs Ed (Schultz) Show in the run-up to the 2012 elections. She was a person I promised myself I would meet, and get to know. And not just because people, even in her hometown of Cleveland, thought we were the same person, or at a minimum, sisters. In fact, I cant think of a person Id rather be mistaken for. (I can recall being Nina in airports, at conventions, and even in a church in her hometown. My response was normally to insist politely that there are two of us, or simply to smile and say, I certainly wish I was, because shes amazing!)

When we finally met, it was like gaining a second sister. Im now proud to call Nina Turner my friend. But it is her stewardship of the vulnerable that is the most important aspect of my regard for the State Senator.

All through the election season, as black voters in Ohio and everywhere in the country fought against partisan attempts to dilute their voting rights, Ninas forceful presence and dramatic eloquence transmitted the dreams and demands of an entire community. In short, there would be no cheating the voters of Ohio while Senator Turner was around.

Even after the election, Nina has continued to speak truth to those in power. She is a forceful voice for fairness and equality, for caring for the least of these, and for recognizing the value of every American community. Its critical that her voice continue to be heard through the media, through the direct contact she has every day with her constituents, and the people of her community and state.

Grandmas Bones offers a chance for readers to get to know the source and inspiration behind Ninas powerful voice. Her ability to move a crowd of listeners in church, or across the cable universe, is undeniable, and now she is sharing her gift for storytelling through the printed word.

They say to know a spring is to know its source. Turners story of her grandmothers wisdom offers a route to the wellspring of her inspiration. Its fitting that Nina gained some of her wisdom and knowledge from a deep well of African-American history, which began with slavery and proceeded on to freedom. Black women have shouldered so much of that history that an ability to turn the pain into wit is itself a triumph. Nina has spoken eloquently about her reverence for the women from all walks of life, backgrounds, and ethnicities who have striven to bend the arc of history towards justice. What she would be too humble to say is that she is one of them.