In November 1997, Camillus, N.Y. residents, Janice and Bruce Grieshaber lost their daughter, Jenna, when she was just 22 years old. Jenna was a nursing student at Russell Sage College and was about to graduate in six short weeks. Jenna's life-long dedication and sensitivity towards others came to a tragic end when she was murdered in her Albany, New York apartment by a paroled violent felon.
Jenna was the victim of the judicial system which set him free on parole. Albany police arrested Nicholas Pryor who had been released from prison after serving just two-thirds of his sentence, in spite of a 14-year criminal record of violence that included felony convictions for robbery and stabbing a person. Jenna's murder has become the catalyst for the Grieshabers' crusade to end parole for violent felons.
Why All The Turtles?
The turtle is the symbol of The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence because it held a place in Jenna’s heart. Jenna's sister Erica fondly recalls a time that Jenna stopped traffic to help a grouchy and not-too-grateful snapping turtle get to the other side of the road. That began a tradition of family and friends giving her all sorts of turtle-related items, from figurines to books.
She felt a kinship with these gentle creatures and understood the need to sometimes withdraw and protect oneself from the outside world. At the same time, she also related to the mythic stories of the turtle as the bearer of the world on its sturdy back and the many stories that, in Native American lore, connected the turtle to eternal life. Maybe it was a sense of her own human frailty that created that sense of connection to a creature that represents both strength and an enduring future, whether in this world or the next.
At the time of Jenna’s death a book was found in her apartment called “Old Turtle” by Douglas Woods. Beautifully illustrated, it tells the tale of a wise old turtle who advocates for understanding and peace in a sometimes difficult world. Like Jenna, the turtle attempts to be the peacemaker and succeeds in fostering a more loving and patient attitude among her listeners.
This book has become the cornerstone for our teaching at The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence. It connects us to Jenna and to the lessons she learned and tried to live. We now find ourselves surrounded by the many wood, glass, ceramic and stone turtles given us by so many of you. Each of them reminds us of Jenna’s spirit.
Through an arrangement with the publisher, Scholastic, The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence sells as a fund-raiser copies of Old Turtle and its follow-up book, A Million Visions of Peace -- containing drawings and notes from children responding to Old Turtle. A portion of the proceeds supports our Mentoring Program.
You may purchase a copy of Old Turtle by calling us at 315-422-0339.
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