John–
Almost ten years ago, my 14-year-old son Paul was shot and killed. He was a great kid, with an infectious personality and smile. He had big dreams: At 14, he'd already decided he wanted to study marine biology at Florida State University.
Every day, I miss life without Paul. Yet he lives on through me and through the work I do in his honor to end senseless gun violence. What keeps me going is trusting that the work I'm doing each day with Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety is changing and saving lives.
For decades, parents like me whose children have been taken by gun violence have led this movement. As survivors, we've turned our grief into action.
But don't just take it from me.
Julvonnia's son, JaJuan, was full of life and love. His laugh was contagious. He dreamed of being a veterinarian.
But on April 7, 2016, he was shot and killed by a 13-year-old who gained access to an unsecured firearm. And like Paul, JaJuan was only 14.
In the years since, Julvonnia and I have become close, not just as fellow survivors and mothers, but as friends and fellow activists. Together, we have found our voice with this movement.
Because we know from experience that our communities, our families, cannot afford inaction. The memory of our loved ones keeps us going.
That remains the case even as we face a reality where guns are now the number one killer of children in America. We have a lot of work to do—but mothers across the country like me and Julvonnia won't stop until we end this crisis.
Survivors, volunteers, and partners—we do this work for kids like JaJuan. Like Paul.
Because we know together, we can create a future free from gun violence.
Stephanie Stone
She/Her/Hers
Senior Program Manager, Survivor Team
Moms Demand Action
