A captivating story of overcoming obstacles, A Child Is a Terrible Thing to Waste gives life lessons and anecdotal remedies that help the reader to
overcome pain and challenges in their own lives. A must-read for all parents, children advocates, health organizations, and lead poisoning prevention groups.
Shabazz had lifted the veil from the preventable health issue of childhood lead poisoning. Anyone looking for guidance and inspiration to conquer the hurdles and challenges met while navigating life's journey should read A Child Is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Author and advocate Queen Shabazz has written an immensely powerful book about her son's struggle to
survive a life-threatening battle, This is one of the first books ever written which gives a first-hand look at this deeply traumatic experience
Written by Queen Zakia Shabazz, an environmental justice advocate. Her work began in 1996 when she discovered that her young son had been poisoned by lead, prompting her to establish United Parents Against Lead (UPAL). UPAL is a networking organization for parents of children poisoned by lead that works to end the threat of lead poisoning and other environmental hazards through education and awareness, advocacy, intervention, and resource referral.
Shabazz is a local Stand for Children Organizer, CEO of the Virginia Environmental Justice Collaborative (VEJC) and is a member of the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative. Queen Shabazz is an inaugural Community Partners in Residence Fellow at the University of Richmond and a former elementary school teacher. An advocate for Adult Literacy, she has served as a READ Center Board member and on the advisory board of the Senate Joint Subcommittee Studying Lead Poisoning Prevention. Shabazz continues to provide valuable insight, time, and dedication toward eradicating lead poisoning.
Queen has received various awards and acknowledgments including the Lead Star Award; Defender of the Year Award; EPA Children's Environmental Health Recognition Award; Pine-Sol Powerful Difference 1st Place Award and feature in Ebony Magazine; the Children's Environmental Health Community Award; the Virginia Council on Economic Education Economic Educator Award and the Black Book Award.
