One Rose blooming Book

In One Rose Blooming, Rose Martin shares her rare and indomitable spirit with each of us.

Despite having been raised on the mean streets of an East Coast ghetto, Rose grew—yes, bloomed—into a woman with unique gifts of love and caring. For the last thirty years she has used those gifts to serve children, the homeless, the hungry, the addicted, and anyone else in need—rich or poor.

Rose has much to teach us all. And she does it in One Rose Blooming through her own real, gritty experiences—always with good humor, great storytelling, and a generous spirit.

Rose's story is more than a memoir. It is a story, too, of ideas about life and relationships. About attitudes that can help heal a wounded society. Through her eyes we learn new ways to help children, aid those in need, overcome racial and income barriers, and commit ourselves to others. Rose's story is a great tonic for anyone who faces adversity. Or anyone who wants deeper relationships to community, neighbors, or family.

"It may not be what they taught you in school," she writes. "I sure never learned it there. And it may not be all that politically correct or said in the most polite terms. But it comes from my experience, and it comes from my heart. And I'm giving it to you as straight as I can."

About the Author:
Rose grew up in Camden, New Jersey, and lived virtually on her own from the age of seven, when she began an odyssey through thirty-eight foster homes. The birth of two children and an abusive marriage followed. In 1971, refusing to succumb to a life of defeat, she took her children and left for Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she landed a job with the Housing Commission. Five years later she became the director of Ann Arbor's innovative Peace Neighborhood Center, where she still serves today.

Rose Martin was recently honored with the Winning Spirit grand prize on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, was selected to carry the torch for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and has been honored numerous times by her community.