Firearms fuel domestic violence-driven killing of women
Firearms are used in more than half of intimate partner homicides and two-thirds of pregnancy-related homicides in the United States. Reducing access to firearms can prevent suffering and deaths of women and children. The United Nations defines femicide as “an intentional killing with a gender-related motivation, [that] may be driven by stereotyped gender roles, discrimination towards women and […]
What to say to survivors of suicide loss
Being heartfelt is best, but we all sometimes struggle for words. Finding the right words when speaking to a survivor of gun violence can be difficult; that difficulty can be compounded when someone’s loved one dies of suicide by firearm. Here are some suggestions: Stay simple. A simple statement like “I’m sorry” or “I’m so […]
Mother Speaks Out About Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 10 Years After Valentine’s Day Gun Suicide
Valentine’s Day 2014 proved the most heartbreaking day in the life of Maryland mother Cheryl Brooks At 3 AM on February 15, 2014, Maryland state police informed Cheryl that her oldest son, Michael Derek Baughan 30, had died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head the previous day. His roommate found him in the bathtub […]
Named one of CNN’s Champions for Change a year ago, Sandy and Lonnie Phillips continue championing change in 2024…and beyond
‘We found our joy again and we want other survivors to find their joy again, too.’ -Sandy Phillips during Anderson Cooper/CNN interview Last September, CNN’s Anderson Cooper profiled his chosen Champion for Change, Sandy and Lonnie Phillips of Survivors Empowered. In the interview, Sandy said that their legacy, in honor of their daughter, Jessi—slain in […]
This is ALL about our kids.
Using common sense, it’s easy to see that sensible gun control legislation, regulation, and accountability are in keeping with what’s best for this nation and our children. Responsible gun ownership means keeping guns out of the hands of those who may harm themselves or others—including children who commit suicide with an improperly-secured gun. Key statistics […]
Gun industry immunity law repeal draws closer with 12 new Congressional HR 4184 cosponsors
Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, Newtown Action Alliance, and Junior Newtown Alliance secure additional support, bringing total to 129 cosponsors Marking 12 years since their daughter’s brutal shooting death along with 11 others in an Aurora, CO theater, Sandy and Lonnie Phillips recently collaborated with Newtown Action Alliance and Junior Newtown Alliance in Washington, DC to […]
Good news prevails amid gun control inaction and setbacks
Frequently lost amid gun control inaction and setbacks are gun control wins mounting up in the states, incredible perseverance of gun control organizations to gain momentum for meaningful federal legislative change, and evolving corporate policies designed to discourage gun violence.
Remembering Jessi Redfield Ghawi
Jessi’s spirit and sacrifice shine more intensely than ever as we mark twelve years since she and eleven others were senselessly slaughtered in the 2012 Aurora, CO theater shootings. Tragically for Survivors Empowered founders Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, the shooting death of their daughter Jessi Redfield Ghawi on July 20, 2012, became the catalyst for […]
Survivors Of Gun Violence Demand Justice and an End to Firearm Industry Immunity
“The gun industry stole our daughter’s life and the gun industry immunity law bankrupted us. Senator Graham played a massive role in the blood-letting. The killer used an AR-15. He shot our daughter six times. There was not enough of her left to put in a coffin. She was slaughtered along with 11 others in […]
It’s time for gun dealers to take ethical and legal responsibility
Don’t let the NRA call the shots. Please donate to Survivors Empowered to continue our tireless efforts to support gun violence survivors and help legislative and regulatory change to stop the carnage. By donating, you send a message to the NRA at its upcoming convention that it’s time to stop the Kool-Aid drinking and embrace […]