Hi John, it’s Sarah Curmi.

I’m the Executive Director of Sister District, where I lead our work to build progressive power in state legislatures. I’m also a mom to a bright and energetic young daughter.

Gun Violence Awareness Month brings up a lot for me.

Like so many parents, I think about my little one growing up in a world where active shooter drills are routine. Where families carry the unbearable weight of loss. Where Republicans like Trump keep rolling back even the most basic federal gun safety protections.

Before I joined Sister District, I worked in the Michigan legislature and served as the Caucus Director of the Michigan Senate Democrats. Our party introduced common-sense gun safety bills — policies that could have saved lives. But without a Democratic majority, those bills never made it to the governor's desk.

That changed in 2022, when voters and Sister District volunteers helped flip the state and secure a Democratic trifecta. For two years while we had the trifecta, Michigan passed some of the strongest gun safety laws in the country — including red flag protections, universal background checks, and safe storage requirements.

These victories didn’t come from thoughts and prayers. They came from our grassroots volunteers, who organized, built power, and refused to accept the status quo.

Every candidate Sister District supports has pledged to champion bold, evidence-based gun safety legislation. But even the most courageous leaders can’t do it alone. Without Democratic majorities, these policies stall. That’s why our work — recruiting, training, and electing state-level champions — is so urgent.

At the heart of this fight is something we all care about: protecting our families, our neighbors, and the communities we call home.

That’s why, this Gun Violence Awareness Month, I’m personally asking:

Will you make a gift to support our efforts to elect gun safety champions and build progressive state legislatures? This work is only possible with your continued support.