Ordinary People - Extraordinary Activists
By Jan Withers | August 25, 2011 | Filed in: General , National President

I called Melissa Montgomery to thank her for the uplifting evening I was privileged to share with the dedicated and inspiring folks in the South Texas Affiliate of MADD. It was obvious that they are close. I told her I could feel their mutual trust and personally felt invited into their family with open arms.

Melissa replied, "Everyone should be. There is not one person who doesn't want to be doing what we are doing. It is not a job to us. It is a passion for each one of us and we work as a team in whatever we do." What a team they are. They are everyday people doing extraordinary things!

Starting from the left, in the photo you see Angela and R.J. Dittmeier. Angela serves as a victim advocate. She exudes kindness and professionalism. Next to her is Melissa Montgomery with her husband, Thomas, standing behind her. (He says that is his role all of the time.) Melissa is the Victim Services Manager.

Next to Thomas in the back row is Rudy Rodriguez. What a delightful dedicated individual. After retiring from law enforcement, Rudy now continues his care of protecting us through the Take the Wheel Program. I am standing between Melissa and Dorene Ocamb, National MADD's brilliant and delightful marketing and communications specialist. Melissa said of Dorene, "I really like her. She is honest and dedicated and real." I agree!

Nicholas Cheatam is devoting his college semester as an intern with MADD. How lucky they are to have him. On the right is Carlos, who teaches humanities at Northwest Vista College. He was there with Nicholas and immediately expressed his desire to connect MADD with his students to help them learn the benefits of community service.

The picture is missing two very important persons in this MADD family. Carly Johnson is their gracious and very competant volunteer coordinator, and my friend, Executive Director Jennifer Northway, their illustrious leader. Jennifer made sure that in her absence I was able to spend time with her Southwest Texas MADD family.

Thank you, Jennifer. I send my thanks to each of you for devoting yourselves to helping others through MADD - be it supporting those victimized by drunk driving, or working to save lives and prevent underage drinking.

Warmly, Jan Withers
MADD National President

Surprising Inspiration
By Jan Withers | August 18, 2011 | Filed in: General , National President , Victim Services

I am always uplifted when spending time with victim advocates. This week I was privileged to attend the NOVA, National Organization for Victims Assistance, Conference in Philadelphia. The presentations were energizing as well as educational. The true benefit was being able to share precious moments with MADD victim advocates from around the country who were able to attend the conference. There were about 10 of us, including Debbie Weir, MADD's Vice President of Victim Services and COO. Every one of these individuals exudes kindness as well as expertise. They radiate joy as well as peace. Each of them has a quiet "knowing" about them. Some have lived the experiences of victimization themselves and others are simply those wonderful souls that care and "get it" and stand by others who are victimized. The photos are of our MADD victim advocates.

The last morning I attended a class that filled my spirit. The guest speaker was Melissa Lucchesi, who shared her story of being a survivor of not one, but two rapes, six and a half years apart. She was testament to the power of the personal story. In addition to hearing her story, though, she was amazing to watch, as she wove her experiences, how she felt, how she reacted, and how she overcame. Her vulnerability was palpable and yet her strength filled the room. She was so real and she was so inspiring. One could hear her agony in her voice and her words, yet in those very same breaths, one could hear her determination and feel her power. She was able to invite her listeners into her world and allow us to be part of her experiences.

Melissa began with a quote that continues to help her on her journey. "Don't let the tragedy be the end of your story."

Melissa's story of survival can be applied to all types of victimization and that is why I share it with you. She relayed that counseling has been very helpful and continues in it today. That was not enough, though, and so she sought other methods as she moved forward in her healing. She relayed that reading memoirs of others who had similar experiences were very helpful to her - she no longer felt alone,that she was the only person with the reactions she was having. She enjoyed healing retreats and began running for physical release. She trained for a half marathon, sharing that she has a love-hate relationship with running. She appreciates it because she has to focus on it, which helps push out all the negative emotions related to her victimization.

Melissa says that "being a survivor means struggling every single day to live life fully, but not forgetting the trauma." As she shared these thoughts, the weight of what it took for her to again live life fully was actually visible. Melissa began an organization to help others who share similar experiences. It is called Voices, Incorporated. I encourage you to visit her website. She takes her peaceful power, reaches out, and invites others to join her.

Melissa quoted Maya Angelou as she closed, "The greatest agony is holding an untold story inside." Melissa shares her story to not only empower herself but to empower others. She indeed empowered me to continue to share my story in the hope of saving lives.

Thank you, Melissa.

Warmly, Jan Withers
National MADD President

Champions of Change Day at the White House
By Jan Withers | August 8, 2011 | Filed in: General , National President

The White House is profiling Americans from across the country whose work is helping our country rise to the challenges of this century. Each week they feature stories of Americans doing extraordinary things in our communities to help innovate, educate, and build the rest of the world. They are celebrating the success of these Champions of Change, learning their stories and sharing them with the world.

Friday, I was honored to represent all the incredible people in MADD who are doing these extraordinary things to help make our communities safer and support those who have been victimized by the effects of drunk driving or drivers impaired by using other drugs with the alcohol. We also know that alcohol is the number one drug of choice among our youth and every year it kills more teens than all the other drugs combined. MADD is truly a leader not only in the country, but the world, in our approach to solutions.

Nine community leaders were honored by the White House for our work to reduce drug use and its consequences and for empowering and inspiring members of our communitites. During our visit to the White House, representatives from the Office of National Drug Control Policy hosted a discussion on how several innovative local programs are successfully working in our communities to reduce the burden drugs pose on local communities. MADD's work is recognized to be innovative and effective in this area.

It was an incredible day. We first were given a private tour of the East Wing. We then walked out the portico facing Pennsylvania Avenue and walked into the West Wing, where we were escorted to the Roosevelt Room, adjacent to the Oval Office.

I had been there once before to witness President Clinton sign the bill lowering the legal limit of alcohol in a driver's blood for determining drunk driving from 0.10 BAC to 0.08 BAC. I was flooded with memories of our MADD President at the time, Millie Webb and her daughters, Brenda Frazier (whose precious 10-year-old Ashley was killed by a driver impaired at 0.08 BAC), and others with whom I waited in that very room before meeting the President. I noted my emotions were similar. I am not in the least bit complacent about the privilege of being there. BUT, the reason we were there is why my emotions filled my spirit. It was because there are so many good people working so very hard to help make our communities safer, to help individuals have more productive and positive lives, and to save lives. Both times, every single person in that room was there for those reasons.

We sat down at the conference table, at the very table and in the very chairs many world leaders have sat, and began a wonderful roundtable discussion of what our organizations are doing. Director Kerlikowski, of ONDCP, led the discussion. Those present shared amazing things they have done to transform their communities and strengthen individuals lives. The stories were diverse - from Lt. Dan Gannon who implements drug market interventions in communities and helps local citizens reclaim their environment - to LaKisha Bryant, Director of Girls Inc. in Albany, GA, who provides programs and services to help girls, ages 6 -18, to be self-sufficient, responsible and contributing members of society. I have to share with you that not only were they appreciative of our support for people who have been victimized by alcohol and drug impairment, but they were very impressed with the details of our Power of Parents iniative as well as the details of our Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

We needed to conclude at a precise time, because the room was scheduled for another use right after we finished. As the director quipped, "It is coming from someone with a much higher pay grade than mine." We learned that the President was having a luncheon in there following us. I cannot deny that I was disappointed he didn't just pop his head in to say a quick hello....grin.

The day didn't end there. We walked past the "Situation Room" to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The floors were black and white diamond-shaped marble. The door frames are trimmed with ornate Greek key design and the door knobs all have the insignia of each of the military branches. We waited in that not-too-boring environment for each person to be individually interviewed for videos to be posted on the White House website. The interviews took place in the Secretary of War Room located directly across the hall from the Vice-President's office. That room was indeed not-too-shabby itself. The walls were actually gold lame framed in dark ornate wood trim. We sat on antique chairs atop a huge oriental carpet for the interview. It was as if history whispered anecdotes from every corner.

It was an inspiring day with inspiring people doing inspiring work. I quote the White House blog on Champions of Change: "The best ideas come from American people. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has a part to play. Our country's success is built on the fact that working together we do big things... Together we will win the future."

Hello and Goodbye
By Jan Withers | July 7, 2011 | Filed in: Drunk Driving , General , National President , Power of Parents , Underage Drinking , Victim Services

I offer my gratitude to our outgoing President Laura Dean-Mooney. She has crossed the country - the globe actually - effectively representing all of us in MADD. Her dedication and sacrifice these past three years is deeply appreciated. You have been a powerful voice for us, Laura. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Today is July 7th, my daughter, Alisa's, birthday. She was killed by an underage drunk driver 15 years after her birth, just 3 months before she turned 16. It feels absolutely perfect to me that I connect with you today for the first time as your new president. The day she was born was the launch of new joy in my heart. She was sunshine personified. As a little girl she was delightful giggles and dance. As she grew up she was gracious kindness and graceful dance. Here you see a picture of her in a rehearsal.

Today she would be 35. I wonder how she would have changed. Would she have a career in dancing? Would she have children? Would her hair still be long? What would she look like now? My friend Mary Klotzbach's son, Matthew, was killed when they were hit by a drunk driver in 2001. She says she wishes so much she could have current pictures of him. The photos of newly created memories abruptly stopped the day they died. We wish so much we could update our photo albums with snapshots of new memories.

I called MADD for help when I was paralyzed with pain. The sorrow was excruciating and the anger overwhelming. What I received was not only help, but I began to see glimpses of hope. When I could not stop crying, I was offered a kind heart. When I could not speak, my MADD advocate became my voice. At the same time, I was watching others in MADD - others who had experienced similar loss or who had been severely injured. They were their own voice or spoke for those who couldn't. They modeled strength I didn't have in my most broken days - but I wanted it - I wanted to get there someday. They were my beacons of hope.

So, as time moved forward, so did I. The day Alisa died, a piece of my heart died. I am forever different. Now, though, I know she moves forward with me. Along the journey so many people in MADD were first my beacons of hope and became my heroes. I watched them support one another. I watched them fight to save lives. I watched them courageously turn their pain into power. They taught me well, for I followed their example.

Today I am humbled to represent you, so many of whom are my close friends, and knowing I will meet so many of you who will become my friends. I feel we already know each other. We will touch one another's hearts. We are bound as a family in MADD. We are together to save lives. We are together to honor and support those who have been vicitimized by this violent crime, to protect our youth from the dangers of underage drinking, and to eliminate this scourge of drunk driving. I know this is a noble goal. I know this is an attainable goal. Today, I am humbled, knowing we will move forward together.

Warmly,
Jan Withers