Empowering Women Affected By Domestic Violence with Sabrina Greenlee

Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard

Sabrina Greenlee has experienced a lot in her life. Cycles of abuse, teen pregnancy, and a violent attack on her life that has left her completely blind. But Sabrina’s story is one of resilience and helping other people overcome the rough moments of life. And she’s just getting started.

Sabrina is setting out to bring awareness to domestic abuse — and its many different forms. Sabrina is the founder and CEO of S.M.O.O.O.T.H., Inc. [Speaking Mentally, Outwardly Opening Opportunities Toward Healing], working to educate and empower women and children through mentorship, counseling, and outreach. The organization also operates several events, including Pretty Scars Into Stars, which offers makeovers for domestic violence survivors.

Sabrina spoke with Good People, Cool Things about the importance of serving others, how you can become more confident in your day-to-day, and the upcoming film about her life.

What do you hope people take away from the Pretty Scars into Stars event?

I would want everyone to know that, when someone deals with trauma or adversities, the last thing that a woman thinks about is beautifying herself. So, this event exemplifies showing a woman's inner strength as well as outer beauty. It doesn't matter what you go through, you still can look beautiful and so smooth.

We want to let everyone know that if they take the courage to get out of the situation and overcome domestic violence, trauma, or PTSD, we are here. We want to love on you and pamper you. Everyone deserves one day when she feels like a queen.

What is something that surprised you while running S.M.O.O.O.T.H. (SPEAKING. MENTALLY. OUTWARDLY. OPENING. OPPORTUNITIES. TOWARD. HEALING.)?

The overwhelming love that I've gotten from each state, because, when I first started S.M.O.O.O.T.H., I was a little torn about the name. God gave me the name and I thought, “no one is gonna catch onto this because it doesn't have domestic violence in it”, but people are catching onto S.M.O.O.O.T.H. and what it stands for. I just feel like I always stay in a place of grace, but I'm surprised as to how many people really have embraced the organization.

How can someone build up their confidence levels, wherever they are in life?

I would hope that by reading this article, they're inspired by everything that I've overcome and that my past trauma and everything that I've been through will uplift and motivate any reader to want to do better, and want to get out of anything that they're in. I would hope that it would definitely inspire you to want to be a better person and to be of service.

I think that’s what we're lacking in the world today — the want to be of service to other people. I stay in a place of gratitude and a place of service, and I would love for other people to be inspired by what we do at S.M.O.O.O.T.H., and empowering and uplifting the ladies. It doesn't have to be an event or a large activity. Sometimes small gestures just showing someone that you care make a world of difference.

What can we expect from your upcoming memoir?

My memoir has a lot of tools that I hope people will impart into their lives. I'm very transparent and I go in-depth about how I forgave my attackers and how I made it through and survived with little or nothing while raising four children. There are a lot of things in there, but I think mainly just giving people the tools to apply to their everyday lives so that they too can get through anything.

Do you have a favorite NFL moment of your son, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins?

I do. I think it was the first time that he brought me the football because it wasn't planned or scripted for me to be in that seat. I was in the end zone by accident because someone had taken my seats previously the week before. So, when he brought me the ball, it was just the perfect moment that aligned. I was in that seat, and he came in the end zone, and he brought me the ball and, I think my first ball was my most memorable moment. Because, like I said, it wasn't planned, and we had no idea that he was going to do that. So, it made it special.

What's next for you?

We are currently working on the development of my film with BRON Studios. In the upcoming year, I also want to bring a cosmetic line to the world. It’s what we are working on now. It's a line to let women who have scars like myself know, that you too can be beautiful. So just a little sneak peek about the upcoming cosmetic line, stay tuned!