9/11 Widow: Embracing Our Collective Grief and Honoring Through Remembrance
9/11 widow Juliette Brisman spoke at our International Widows Day Forum in Washington, DC a few years ago, highlighting the vital need for widow support.?
You may listen to her?powerful speech?and learn about her memoir,?A Heart Returned,?which offers a deeply moving account of her life before and after 9/11.?
LISTEN: Juliette Brisman 9/11 Widow Speech
When we listen to widows, we learn from their experiences, become empowered, and are inspired to create stronger, more compassionate communities. We honor their voices and tell the stories that must never be forgotten, as we remember those we loved.? Today, Juliette, a dedicated mental health professional, is changing the world one day at a time. We are deeply honored to share her story. She is a passionate advocate for widowed clients who are marginalized, particularly LGBTQ+ widows, who are often overlooked. In her videos, Juliette shares the story of her client, MaryAnn, who faced the unique pain of feeling unaccepted by traditional peer support widow groups where she sought comfort and connection.
We are deeply grateful for her compassionate commitment to serving widows.?
With widows’ health in focus here at?(MWC) Modern Widows Club | The Movement for Widows Care, we recognize that September 11th represents a collective grief memory for the U.S. and the world. This grief becomes even more profound when we’ve personally experienced deep loss, both within ourselves and in our surroundings.
For me, I was 18 months into widowhood when the 9/11 attacks occurred. Being in the early stages of my own journey as a young widow, I found the additional weight of collective trauma overwhelming. My heart could not bear the compounded stress of the world around me, and I began experiencing stress and panic attacks. I wasn’t prepared for this reaction, and I learned that sometimes, even when we want to help others—like me wishing to help the new 9/11 widows—I needed to acknowledge my own emotional fragility and set healthy boundaries for myself.
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I hoped that one day, I’d be strong enough and have the capacity to serve and empower other widows. But first, I had to focus on my own healing.
Meeting Juliette Brisman in person and inviting her to our 1st International Widows Day Forum in Washington, DC, on June 23 was a deeply meaningful moment for me. It was a beautiful reminder that the Modern Widows Club (MWC) is uplifting the voices of widows and helping us all find strength and resilience in a world full of unknowns.
Give yourself a hug today. I know I am.?
With heartfelt love and deep respect for all those we have lost and for those who remain to carry the weight of their grief,?
Carolyn Moor, MWC Founder?
UPCOMING EVENT:?2024 (WEE) Widow Empowerment Event Virtual - 11 Widow Health Webinars for Everyone (Widows and Widow Supporters)