During Women’s History Month 2025, Meet Six Women Leaders in the Community Safety Fund 2024-25 Grant Cohort
3.21.2025
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of women in the past and present. This month and year-round, the Everytown Community Safety Fund is proud to amplify the accomplishments of women-led organizations across the country that are breaking cycles of violence and helping heal their communities.
The Community Safety Fund is proud to have directly invested grants and capacity-building training to 43 women-led organizations and counting, 37 of which are led by Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Latina, or AANHPI women.
During Women’s History Month 2025, we are thrilled to elevate the six women leaders in our 2024-25 funding cohort. These women are working every day to change the course of history for their communities as they provide evidence- and community-informed, comprehensive support to individuals who are at greatest risk of gunshot victimization. Keep reading to learn more about what inspired them to get involved in the movement to end gun violence and what keeps them motivated to continue their life-saving work.
Answers have been lightly edited for clarity.
Liza Chowdhury, Director of Paterson Healing Collective
My journey to end gun violence stems from a deeply personal commitment to the greater Paterson, New Jersey, community. I used to work as a juvenile probation officer in Paterson, and I was heartbroken when I witnessed the devastating spike in gun violence. Young lives I had come to know and care about were taken by violence, and each of these losses felt deeply personal. These young people weren’t statistics, and their deaths were a tragic reminder of the hopes and dreams that are every day extinguished far too soon by gun violence.
My own childhood trauma taught me the vital importance of healing and opportunity, and I continue to carry the weight of this trauma and these learnings. I know firsthand how crucial it is for our youth to have safe spaces to express their pain and discover their potential. That’s why I created the Paterson Healing Collective: a program designed to provide compassionate resources and programming to those who need it most.
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Read more about what motivates Liza Chowdhury
The unwavering spirit of the young people we serve motivates me daily to continue in this work. Their resilience in the face of adversity ignites a fierce determination within me. With each small victory, I see glimpses of hope—their laughter, their dreams, and their growth remind me that we are planting seeds of change. In every challenge and in every setback, I find solace in the knowledge that we are building a community rooted in empathy and love.
My commitment to this cause is unwavering, knowing that together, we can dismantle the cycles of violence and pain and create a brighter, more equitable future for our youth. They deserve a chance to heal, thrive, and rise above their circumstances, and I am here to help guide them on their journey.
Jermia Jerdine, Founder and CEO of Fresh Start Kidz
I was inspired to get involved in the movement to end gun violence after both my brother and my fiancé were tragically taken by it. The devastating impact their deaths had on my nieces, nephews, and my own children—who had to navigate grief at such a young age—opened my eyes to the need for change.
With the rising violence in our communities, especially affecting Black men and boys, I knew something had to be done to provide alternatives and support for our youth. I transformed my own grief into action through Fresh Start Kidz, Inc. Through my organization, I strive to give children the tools they need to heal, connect with strong role models, and find a path to greatness.
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Read more about what motivates Jermia Jerdine
Hurting people can hurt people. As our future, if children don’t heal, they can perpetuate the same violent crimes that they tragically experienced at such a young age. I am committed to this work every day because I witness the evolution of the children I work with. I see their ability to manage and transform their pain and anger into something positive. Seeing the tangible changes in them, and hearing their parents’ updates on the progress they see, reaffirms my purpose. I know my efforts are making a difference, and that keeps me going even through the toughest times.
Freedom Jones, Founder and CEO of Street Pause
I was called to this work from a place of deep love for people and an unshakable belief that every life has value. Growing up and working in Black and Brown communities, I have witnessed both the beauty and the pain that exist side by side. I’ve seen the systemic neglect, the cycles of harm, and the ways violence steals futures before they even begin. But I’ve also seen resilience—people determined to love, heal, and protect one another despite it all.
Beyond personal experience, I also know that gun violence is the number one killer of children in the United States. That fact alone should be a call to action for us. It has been for years. Every child and every person deserves to live without the constant threat of gun violence, whether in their school, their neighborhood, or their own home. The fact that we have allowed this crisis to persist is unacceptable. That urgency is what drives me.
I founded Street Pause because I knew I couldn’t sit on the sidelines. I wanted to be part of the solution: to use my voice, my hands, and my heart to interrupt violence and build something better.
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Read more about what motivates Freedom Jones
This work is not just about stopping violence—it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and possibility. Even in the hardest moments, I stay committed because I see the lives we are changing.
When someone chooses peace instead of retaliation, when a young person finds another way forward, when a survivor turns their pain into purpose—those moments remind me why I do this. I stay motivated because I know the fight for safety, justice, and healing is worth it, and because love—real love—is action. It’s showing up, even when it’s hard. It’s believing that change is possible, even when the world tries to convince us otherwise. It’s knowing that every child and every person lost to gun violence is one too many—and we have the power to do something about it.I founded Street Pause because I knew I couldn’t sit on the sidelines. I wanted to be part of the solution: to use my voice, my hands, and my heart to interrupt violence and build something better.
Wanda Ridgeway, Executive Director of RISE Up Rochester
My involvement in gun violence prevention work was born from personal tragedy and a profound desire to create change. After witnessing the murder of my boyfriend, Whitney Morries, in 2002, and the death of my nephew, Hershel Scrivens, in 2006, I was thrust into a world of grief and pain that no one should have to experience. These heartbreaking events opened my eyes to the devastating impact of gun violence, not only on victims, but also on the families and communities left behind.
In my journey through grief, I sought support and connection with others who had faced similar losses. It became clear to me that many individuals were struggling in silence, carrying the weight of their experiences without the resources or support they needed. This realization ignited a fire within me: a determination to advocate for those affected by violence, and to work toward preventing future tragedies.
I was inspired to start RISE Up Rochester by the stories of resilience shared by fellow survivors and advocates. Their courage to share their experiences and fight for change motivated me to step up and use my voice. I realized that if I could channel my pain into action, I might not only find healing for myself but also help others navigate their own journeys.
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Read more about what motivates Wanda Ridgeway
Through education, awareness, and community engagement, I strive to foster understanding and promote solutions that address the root causes of violence. What keeps me motivated in this violence prevention work, even in the face of challenges, is a profound sense of purpose and the belief that change is possible.
Each day, I am reminded of the lives affected by violence and their stories of loss, resilience, and hope. The memories of my boyfriend and nephew, both victims of senseless gun violence, also serve as constant motivation. I carry their stories with me as I advocate for a world where no family has to endure the pain of losing a loved one to violence.
Their legacies inspire me to keep pushing forward, even when the path is difficult. In moments of doubt, I find strength in the community of advocates, survivors, and allies who share this mission. Together, we support one another and amplify our voices to raise awareness and promote change.
Teresa Negron, Executive Director of YouTurn Omaha
Before joining YouTurn Omaha, I had a lengthy career with the police department in Omaha, Nebraska. I served for much of my time with the homicide unit, which gave me a unique view of gun violence and its effect on communities in Omaha. I saw firsthand the devastation of parents who had lost a child to violence, including gun violence, before that child had the opportunity to live a full life. No parent expects their child to die before they do.
In my work with both the police department and with YouTurn, I have heard from so many of those impacted by gun violence. Whether it be the victim, perpetrator, or those who live in an area where gun violence is happening, the violence negatively impacts their overall well-being and dashes both their hope for a future and a feeling of safety.
Gun violence terrorizes people, both when it happens, and long after. When I started talking to youth and young adults one-on-one, it was clear that they had no hope of living very long and no hope for a possibility of what their future could be. If they did, it was often limited to the negative stereotypes society had of a person of color. Through my work as Executive Director of YouTurn, I am working with the people in my community to change this reality.
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Read more about what motivates Teresa Negron
YouTurn offers support and resources to break the cycle of poverty, reduce violence and trauma, and promote positive behavior change. These efforts lead to resiliency, healthier families, and safer communities. Additionally, YouTurn creates opportunities for youth to “break the cycle of violence” by helping adolescents and young adults seek positive alternatives to violence. That work begins by learning more about what has happened in a person’s life that led them toward violence—and that leads to finding a solution to support them as they move away from it.
At YouTurn, I work with a team of individuals who are dedicated to helping others become role models and commit themselves to changing their lives. Every day, I watch these credible messengers—in the community, local schools, and other facilities—meet those youth and young adults where they are and help them see a way forward that doesn’t involve resolving conflict with violence.
I am committed to violence intervention work, even in challenging times. My motivation comes from knowing that almost everyone involved in gun violence—if given the opportunity, given hope, and given a vision of possibility—would turn away from it if they had someone who could model how they can accomplish this.
Tia Bell, CEO of The TRIGGER Project
Like all too many of us, I was inspired by personal tragedy to get involved in the gun violence prevention movement. At the peak of my high school basketball career, I was accoladed as an All-American and a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year. But at a time when I should have been celebrating my success on the court, the disease of gun violence ended the life of one of my biggest fans—my Uncle Brian “Doug” Bell at 21 years young. His age at the time of his killing was the same number I wore on my basketball jersey.
After his death, I changed my jersey number to 4 to represent my uncle’s birthdate and month—April 4. Honoring his life and legacy gave me a sense of purpose and healing, even after career-ending knee injuries took me away from basketball. Off the court, I earned my Master’s in Youth Development and was blessed with a vision to turn my jersey number into an organization, FOuR Youth, LLC., working to disrupt gun violence through youth development.
Through our work, I realized that gun violence needed to be treated as a public health crisis rather than solely as a public safety issue. That recognition prompted us to rebrand to become The True Reasons I Grabbed the Gun Evolved From Risks (TRIGGER) Project. Today, we work at the intersections of public health and positive youth development to prevent the spread of the disease of gun violence.
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Read more about what motivates Tia Bell
My mother is my biggest source of motivation and support in this work. Almost 10 years before we lost Uncle Doug—her brother—to the disease of gun violence, my mother survived the disease herself after being shot twice in broad daylight in Washington, D.C. If it wasn’t for my direct exposure to the disease of gun violence, I would not have a sense of purpose. I would not be able to connect with the youth and advocate for their needs today. And I would not have experienced the forgiveness and healing that it takes to stop the disease of gun violence that my mother modeled for my community and her peers.
If it weren’t for my mother’s resourcefulness, I would not have known the importance of proactive and community-led protective factors after which to model TRIGGER’s approach. Today, my mom, Tahira “Mama Terri” Bell, serves as The TRIGGER Project’s Chief of Partnerships and Prevention. Under her leadership and guidance, we remain steadfast, strategic, and creative during the ever-changing policies, funding challenges, and other uncertainties in youth violence prevention.
