It has been a while since I’ve posted but the untimely and tragic death of Heather Heyer, in Charlottesville, VA, has brought me back to the reason I started this blog – to speak of those women who made and continue to make herstory.
Her family’s heartfelt and heartbreaking words at her memorial service yesterday reminded me that we all need to honour this young woman who was killed when a terrorist plowed her down because she was standing up against bigotry, racism, and hate.
Did you know that Heather Heyer was only 32 years young; that she had loving parents and grandparents that will miss her everyday of their lives; or that she had friendships she had nurtured since grade school?
Did you know that she worked as a paralegal; that she had just celebrated her five-year anniversary with her firm; or that she was a courageous, principled woman and firm believer in justice and equality?
It is only when a tragedy, like Heather’s murder, makes the headlines that we learn about all the wonderful women surrounding us – honourable women that should not die for causes that they believe in and fight for.
We need to heed her mother’s words and to etch them into our minds. “This is just the beginning of Heather’s legacy. This is not the end of Heather’s legacy,” her mother, Susan Bro said. “You need to find it in your heart – that small spark of accountability …You poke that finger at yourself, like Heather would have done, and you make it happen. You take that extra step. You find a way to make a difference in the world.”
The quote on Heather’s Facebook cover photo read “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”
InspiredByMyMom.com extends deepest condolences to the family & friends of Heather Heyer who will miss her dearly and daily. However we all need to make her short life matter by paying attention and making a difference.
After her death, the Heather Heyer Foundation was created to honor the victim, a young civil rights activist, who dedicated her life to promoting equal rights for all people. The Foundation has established a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to individuals passionate about positive social change. For more information or to make a donation visit https://www.heatherheyerfoundation.com.
UPDATE : One June 28, 2019, the driver who plowed his car into a group of anti-rasism protesters and killed Heather Heyer at the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, was sentenced Friday to life in prison on federal hate crime charges.
Inspired By My Mom 
Ditto, and thank you. Beautifully put. And necessary. And I hate that it’s necessary. You know what I mean?
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It just saddens my heart that this happened to her and praying that this hate, bigotry & racism will end without further bloodshed.
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Heather’s Mother is a strong lady who is able to put aside her own grief to give a message that sums up her daughter’s true legacy. I wonder how many unsung heros or heroines are lying hidden in the pages of history who made the real difference for us, Betty?
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Vatsula, There are probably soooo many that it would just boggle the brain. We must make our best efforts to remember and speak of all these sheroes.
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Yes we all need to make a difference in the world in our own ways. I totally understand Heather’s stand and each day pray that through more love ore peace will come. There are so many unsung sheroes and heroes out there around the world. We can all the change we wish to see in the world , thank you xxx
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There are many in war who have stood up to fight for truth. We’ve been reminded that to stand up for truth can be closer to home than we imagined. Heather didn’t go there to die, but her sacrifice will forever remind us that we all must take a stand for truth.
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