More than 80 mothers from across the country gathered in Jacksonville for the sixth annual Angel of Mine Brunch, an event dedicated to supporting women who have lost children to gun violence, suicide, illness, traffic crashes and other unexpected tragedies.
Hosted by the Silent Women Speaking Foundation Inc., the free event provides grieving mothers with a safe space to share their experiences, build supportive relationships and find encouragement alongside women who understand the unique pain of losing a child,
“Our goal is to remind every mother that she is not alone and that her pain, her child, and her story matter,” said founder Nikki Carswell.
Carswell, a First Coast High School graduate who spent 27 years working in the medical field and now serves as a community relations specialist for Family Care Partners, said the foundation was born from a vision she believes God gave her to serve grieving mother. Although she has not experienced the loss of a child herself, she said she felt called to create an organization focused on helping families navigate an unimaginable loss.
“This is my calling,” Carswell said. “God gave me the vision to give back to mothers who are carrying this kind of pain.”
The brunch featured nationally recognized advocate Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, as keynote speaker. Mothers traveled from around the country to attend the event, many learning about it through the foundations website and recommendations from other families.
Among those attending was Jacquelyn “Jackie” Johnson, whose son, Kendrick Johnson, died under controversial circumstances at a Georgia high school in 2013. Her participation reflected the event’s growing national reach and its ability to connect mothers whose stories have drawn public attention with those grieving more privately.
The Angel of Mine Brunch is one of the several initiatives offered by the Silent Women Speaking Foundation. Through its Youth Giving Back Sports Mentoring Program, the organization serves children and teens coping with the loss of siblings and loved ones. It also hosts Sister Sundays, an 11-month support program that provides ongoing fellowship, resources and emotional support for bereaved mothers throughout the year.
Carswell recently joined other grieving mothers as a co-author of Pain Into Tears, a collection of personal stories chronicling the grief, resilience, and healing journeys of women who have experienced the death of a child. As the attendance continues to grow, Carswell said the foundation’s mission remains the same: ensuring every grieving mother knows she is seen, supported, and never has to walk her journey alone.
For more info visit www.silentwomenspeaking.org/