Jeanne came to the gun violence prevention movement after experiencing a very personal tragedy. Jeanne's sister Nancy was murdered at age 25 with a .357 Magnum when she was three months pregnant with her first child. The killer broke into the home and shot Nancy, her husband, and their unborn baby to death.

The killings forced Jeanne to learn about guns and gun violence. The more she learned, the madder she got. The killer had stolen the murder weapon from his lawyer's office; as Jeanne points out, a simple trigger lock could have prevented the shootings.

Jeanne knew that she couldn't bring her family members back to life. But she could try to prevent gun violence from taking other innocent lives.

So when Jeanne heard about a Million Mom March Chapter in northern Chicago, she went to a meeting. The woman who ran the meeting began by showing a hospital printout of her son's heartrate, flatlining as he succumbed to a gunshot wound. Jeanne then knew that there were others who had suffered as she had, and who were working to prevent future victims of gun violence so that no family would have to endure such pain.

Since that first meeting, Jeanne has marched. She has written letters to the editor. She has given speeches. She has met with legislators and educators. And she is now the President of that Million Mom March Chapter in northern Chicago.

Jeanne has joined with other women and men who share a common goal: to help create an environment in which our children can grow up in peace and safety by passing sensible gun laws that protect us and our families.

As Jeanne says, "I am proud of the work we do." And Jeanne, we are proud of you.