Chances are, you know one. Maybe you are one…a Richmond Mom with a mission.
Each month, we will be introducing you to a new maternal mover and shaker—an inspiring, make-a-difference mom right here in our own community.
Brendon Mackey. Sandy Hook. #NotOneMore. And just today, Troutdale, Oregon.
With horrifying frequency, names, locations and urgent calls to action are searing themselves into our common vernacular.
Meet this month’s RichmondMom with a Mission: Gena Reeder, Virginia State Chapter Leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
RichmondMom Cheryl:
Gena, what was the catalyst that made you decide YOU personally needed to take action?
Moms Demand Action Gena:
I’m a stay at home mom of two amazing kids, Luke & Jamie. On December 14, 2012, I dropped the kids off at school and decided to treat myself to a manicure. The television was on at the salon, and suddenly CNN was breaking news about a shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. Then came the horrific announcement that among those dead were 20 children. I was so overwrought with grief, hopelessness and panic that I began to cry and I didn’t stop crying for days. I realized I had experienced this same level of trauma before, when the Twin Towers fell to the ground. In fact, our Moms Demand members often say that Sandy Hook was “their personal 9/11.” My eyes were opened to the grim reality of gun violence in our country. From that moment on, there was no turning back. Shannon Watts, our founder, was a stay at home mom of five in Indiana. In her own despair, she started a Facebook page and invited 20 friends to join. Word spread like wildfire through social media about a Mom-centered grassroots group starting, modeling themselves after MADD. I clicked “Like” and my life changed. That Facebook page, in 18 months, has grown into the largest grassroots gun violence prevention organization in the country with chapters in every state and 1.5 million supporters nationwide.
What is it that you do for Moms Demand Action?
As chapter leader, I have the privilege of managing a team of the most compassionate, brilliant, sassy, joyful and politically savvy women you will ever meet. We are “accidental activists” from a variety of professional backgrounds and political persuasions, but we are 100% united in our goal to course-correct this country on guns—elevating this issue above partisan politics. We lobby lawmakers on Capitol Hill and the General Assembly. We further our network through community relations and public speaking. We give media interviews to represent the 90% of Virginians who agree with gun reform. And more importantly, we give a voice to volunteers and victims’ families who have been unheard.
What is Moms Demand Action’s ultimate goal?
Eighty-six Americans die every day America due to gun violence. As citizens, we can support the Second Amendment and simultaneously do so much more to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. By advocating common-sense policies we can effectively address our country’s dangerous culture of gun violence and make our communities safer.
We have 4 main objectives:
1) Close the deadly loopholes in our background check system that allow minors and dangerous people like felons, the mentally ill and domestic abusers easy access to guns
2) Promote gun safety so that America’s children will no longer be exposed to unacceptable levels of risk
3) Support reasonable limits on where, when and how loaded guns are carried and used in public
4) Create enforceable laws that address gun trafficking and fraudulent purchasing to keep illegal guns off our streets
What has been accomplished so far?
Our corporate responsibility campaigns have been hugely successful. When the open-carry movement began brazenly demonstrating their Second Amendment rights at Starbucks and most recently, Chipotle and Jack in the Box, we encouraged these companies to take action. As a result of our petition and social media campaigns, they changed their policies. When we discovered Facebook and Instagram were becoming marketplaces for illegal gun sales, we launched a video modeled after their 10th anniversary montage, with the same music bed, featuring screenshots from all the illegal gun postings we found. They listened! Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Instagram’s CEO Kevin Systrom put new measures in place to monitor and ban these users. On the legislative side, we are mobilizing and helping to pass good laws on the state level, as well as stopping bad ones from getting through.
Our energy and successes caught the attention of former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, co-founder of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and 2 months ago we announced our merger with his group. The new umbrella organization, Everytown for Gun Safety, is becoming the counterweight to the NRA. It’s very exciting to be on the ground level of this historic time. With the recent mass shooting in Santa Barbara, we were reminded once again that instances of gun violence will keep happening…it’s alarming to consistently be wondering which town will be next in the headlines.
With that in mind, what are you all doing right now?
We’ve said early on that if this Congress won’t change laws to keep our children safe then we will make one that will. Our chance to do that is in the mid-term elections. We have launched the Gun Sense Voter campaign. Our goal is to collect 1 million Gun Sense Voter Cards from people who are willing to pull the lever for the candidate that is pro-public safety and kick the ones to the curb that continue to kowtow to the gun lobby instead of protecting our kids. Look for that “A+” rating the NRA gives politicians. If they earned that A, that means they actively suppress common sense policies like background checks. It means they will not vote in favor of a surgeon general who believes that 33,000 gun deaths per year indicate a public health concern. It may even mean that they believe arming teachers is the best way to keep our schools safe. You can go online and fill out your card too. www.gunsensevoter.org
What makes you proudest personally about your affiliation with the group?
In Virginia, the passing of Brendon’s Law was a significant moment. When Brendon Mackey was killed by celebratory gunfire last 4th of July, we learned that the current laws in place were woefully inadequate. Now, the penalties for reckless handling of a firearm are tougher and more appropriate to the crime. It’s been a difficult road for the Mackeys –constant media exposure and the grueling process of lobbying, in the midst of grief – but at least now we have created a legacy for Brendon so that his name is part of Virginia history forever and will protect others. The outpouring of people—from all political persuasions—who called and emailed their delegates and Senators urging them to pass this bill was amazing.
On a personal level, I just finished an interview with a political scientist from Duke University who is writing a book on the role of women in the politics of gun reform. It’s being noted that women, and this new surge of maternal empowerment, seems to be driving this movement forward. She asked me, ‘How have you changed since you began working with Moms Demand Action?’ I actually became teary. I have discovered my own voice and tapped into a personal power I did not know I had. I was hoping to change the world, changing ME, was the nicest surprise I could have had.
How do you navigate the demands of your Moms Demand role with the day-to-day demands of being a mom?
I could not possibly do this job without the support of my family. As moms, we have impressive multi-tasking skills, and those come into play in this role because you are constantly juggling the needs of your family with the demands of work. They have had to share mommy with a whole new world of people and their acceptance, grace and patience is humbling. My husband, Michael, who often has to shoulder a bit more so I can be free, has been my rock.
How do you all feel about what your mom is doing?
Luke (age 11): “I feel better knowing that one day her work will change America for the better.”
Jamie (age 9): “It’s just plain awesome! One day, children will be safe!”
Michael (Gena’s husband): “I’m proud of how hard Gena works for a cause that is so dear to her heart, while at the same time so controversial in this country. Not everyone she meets is supportive of what she’s doing, so it can be quite challenging. To see her take on the tireless role of Virginia chapter leader and inspire others to work for what they believe in is really special and is setting an amazing example to our children.”
So Gena, how can like-minded Richmond moms get involved?
Go to http://www.momsdemandaction.org/join-us/ .
You will be routed to your state chapter so you be part of our campaigns nationally, and in-the-know on our local events, too.
You can find our VA Chapter on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/MomsDemandActionVA.
Follow us on Twitter @MomsDemand.
We have volunteer opportunities for everyone with every skill set and every time constraint. You can roll up your sleeves and work an event, or you can stay home, tweet or email your legislators using the fast tools on our website. It’s all very much appreciated and valuable to the cause! We would also love to come speak at your next function or you can host a house party with a few friends and instead of selling jewelry, share our message of advocacy!
You can contact me directly at [email protected].
Thank you so much for your commitment to this important cause, Gena…and for being a RichmondMom with a mission!
