As mothers, we are natural fixers. We tend to bruised knees, reassemble broken action figures, and patch up our children’s favorite stuffed animals. When our kids reach out for assistance—whether it’s solving a tricky math problem or calming their fears about imaginary monsters—we step up to find answers.
But we don’t just fix little issues; we tackle monumental challenges too.
When countless children were dying in car crashes, we took action. From 1977 to 1985, every state in the U.S. enacted laws to protect infants and young passengers by mandating the use of child restraint systems. And we didn’t stop there. We pushed for regulations that ensured not only the use of car seats but also age- and size-appropriate devices, like booster seats. Our persistent advocacy led to a 43% reduction in child fatalities due to car accidents between 2002 and 2011.
In the early 1990s, when sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) claimed over 4,000 babies each year, we mobilized to create change. The Back to Sleep campaign, launched by concerned parents, halved SIDS deaths in just five years. Our commitment didn’t waver; we continued to refine safe sleep recommendations, and our fight for infant safety continues even today.
When drunk driving claimed the life of 13-year-old Rachel Thompson, her mother founded an advocacy group to fight for change from her kitchen table. This grassroots movement, supported by mothers across the nation, led to significant legal reforms. Today, drunk driving fatalities have decreased by 55% since the organization’s inception in 1980.
When unsafe cribs caused infant fatalities, we found solutions. In 2011, federal safety regulations prohibited the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs. Similarly, when nearly 300 children under five lost their lives due to drownings in swimming pools, we pressed for safety measures, leading to laws requiring protective barriers around residential pools.
As mothers, we recognize when a crisis threatens our children, and we act. We’ve shown time and again that we can enact change—because our kids depend on us.
Yet, in 2023, we are confronted with a harrowing reality: nearly 1,300 children die each year due to gun violence, with over 5,000 more injured. Regardless of political beliefs, we must find common ground in acknowledging that these numbers are intolerably high. We, as mothers, cannot accept this tragic reality because we have proven that we can do better. When our children are routinely harmed, we take action.
In the face of issues like SIDS, drunk driving, or unsafe cribs, we don’t merely express our sorrow and move on. We delve deep into the root causes. We investigate from all angles, engage in research, and advocate for policy changes. We educate ourselves and others, exploring every possible avenue for improvement. We demand that our leaders listen, for the stakes are far too high.
We need to apply this same determination to the issue of gun violence. It’s time to set aside political affiliations and unite as mothers. Our differences in voting patterns or media consumption do not matter; what matters is our children’s safety. They are at risk from daily incidents of violence, gang-related shootings, and tragic home accidents, as well as mass shootings in places like Parkland and Sandy Hook. These aren’t just statistics; they are our children, with futures full of potential.
We have demonstrated our willingness to change anything and everything to ensure our children’s safety—from car seats to crib safety standards. Every day, we assess our surroundings to identify potential dangers, and when we identify something that can be fixed, we act without hesitation.
But when it comes to gun violence, we have hesitated. We have allowed this crisis to persist unchecked, caught up in the narrative that it is merely a political issue. Addressing gun violence should not be a matter of debate; it’s a pressing concern that requires collective action and common-sense legislation.
As parents, we hold the obligation to protect our children, regardless of the challenges or time it takes. One determined mother can ignite change, and together, we can create a movement that transforms society.
So, let’s unite and rise to this challenge.
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Summary
Mothers have historically risen to the challenge of protecting their children from various threats, including car accidents and unsafe sleeping conditions. However, the escalating gun violence in our communities presents a pressing issue that demands our immediate attention and action. We must come together, setting aside political differences, to advocate for solutions that will safeguard our children’s lives.