Praised by media and political figures including Michael Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton, and Katie Couric, Shannon Watts—"the NRA’s Worst Nightmare”—tells the inspiring story of how a rallying call-to-action grew into a powerful movement to protect children from America’s epidemic of gun violence, and offers lessons for others who want to make a difference in their community.
On the morning of December 14, 2012, stay-at-home-mom Shannon Watts was folding laundry when the news broke that there had been a shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Along with the world, Watts watched horrifying images of children being marched in a line outside of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Outraged and heartbroken, Shannon felt an overwhelming need to act. She thought there must be an organization like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, but for gun violence prevention. There was no such organization. Watts decided then and there that she needed to build it.
Fight like a Mother is the powerful story of how one mother’s cry for change started a national women’s movement—Moms Demand Action—to fight some of the richest and most powerful people in America: the gun lobby. It is a riveting account of how outraged mothers became engaged activists, creating a powerful grassroots network of local chapters in all 50 states. Along with her observations and wisdom, Watts shares inspiring messages of perseverance, courage, and compassion, and outlines the core mantras and principles that Moms Demand Action has used to battle the NRA and the intimidating tactics they use to prevent gun safety progress.
Most of all, Fight like a Mother explores the unique power of women—starting with what they have, owning their expertise, asking for help, and doubling down instead of backing down. While not everyone can be on the front lines lobbying congress, every mom is already an organizer, and Shannon shows them how to put their skills to use in their own community, in their own way. Bringing activism into the everyday, Fight like a Mother will inspire everyone—mothers and fathers, students and teachers, lawmakers, and anyone who is outraged, angry, and motivated to work for change— to get to work transforming hearts, minds, and laws.
Everytown compiles incredible amounts of data and creates clear, compelling reports on a variety of particular aspects of gun violence—the efficacy of background checks, for example, or the relationship between gun violence and women—and publishes them at the website everytownresearch.org. Any time you want to have the latest reliable facts on gun violence on hand, make this website your first stop.
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