‘Grieving Moms Matter’ uplifts mothers of crime victims

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — People from all over Memphis came together in Orange Mound to support grieving mothers who have lost loved ones to violence.

Memphis resident Andrelena Rosser created the event “Grieving Moms Matter” while still trying to deal with the overwhelming trauma of her own son’s death.

“I wrote women’s names down, and when I got to 10 women I told my daughter I’m going to cook lunch for these women. Each woman has lost a child,” Rosser said.

She says her son was killed in an accident stemming from a shooting months ago. Because he was an active community activist she feels it’s her duty to stand in his place turning her sadness into something positive.

“And that’s why I ask each mother, 20-something women who I spent nights crying writing these children’s mothers’ names down,” Rosser said. “These are their kids. It’s about them now.”

At Saturday’s event, mothers shared heart-wrenching testimonies about losing their children to violence, including Shakira Carpenter, a mother who’s approaching the third anniversary of her son’s tragic death.

“We need each other. It’s hard,” Carpenter said. “Waking up every day without your child, it’s hard.”

Carpenter says years later she’s still fighting for answers.

“Court is still going on. The trial is scheduled for this Monday, July 29th,” she said.

Grief counselors like Mary Elizabeth Jones were on hand to offer emotional guidance.

“It is truly a blessing to be able to walk alongside other people who are hurting and to be able to help them realize grief is a journey and grief is not something that we get over. Grief is something we get through,” Jones said.

Off-duty Memphis Police officers and Memphis Mayor PAUL Young showed up to the emotional gathering to offer support.

“I got a text and someone asked me to come one of the mothers who has recently experienced the loss of her son and I wanted to show up. I wanted to be present,” Young said. “I think it’s important that the mayor stands with all of these families, who go through this unnatural order of having to bury their children as a result of gun violence. It’s  unacceptable and we aren’t going to accept it as a community.”

Rosser says she plans on doing this event again in September.

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