American Widow Project

American Widow Project (AWP) is a non-profit organization providing peer to peer support to a new generation of military widows grieving the loss of a spouse in the United States armed forces.

History

AWP was founded in 2007 by Taryn Davis of San Marcos, TX[1] after her husband, CPL Michael Davis, was killed in action in the Iraq war on May 21, 2007. Finding herself a widow at the age of 22, she discovered that there were few resources to help young military widows. To date, her nonprofit has provided a community of support to more than 900 young military widows.[2]

Following her grief and confusion, four months later she began work on a documentary speaking to military widows, hearing their stories of love, tragedy and overall survival. The documentary was shown to military widows who gathered in Austin, Texas from across the country in July 2008, for the official "launch" of the American Widow Project. During the launch In Their Boots was on location to film and interview widows.

Since then, the AWP has conducted several events through the country to unite military widows to celebrate their survival, honor their loved ones sacrifice, and provide a healing environment with others who share this journey. The core philosophy of the AWP is to serve the interests of the military widow community by and through means readily accessible anywhere, anytime. AWP quarterly events are invaluable in unifying this growing band of young military widows. Other AWP services further solidify the comprehensive support network to its members. A 24/7 hotline, enables an immediate connection to another widow. A documentary produced by the AWP is provided free of charge to all military widows. The AWP official website is the focal point for a multitude of resources and information, including upcoming events and personal accounts from the widows themselves. Finally, an array of interactive social networking sites serves as a hub for ongoing dynamic communication and fellowship.

The American Widow Project has been nationally recognized by a multitude of media outlets such as: ABC news with Bob Woodruff,[3] NPR,[4] CNN,[5] CBS,[6] ABC News,[7] Military.com,[8] The Washington Times,[9] USAA Magazine,[10][11] Los Angeles Times,[12] The Fayetteville Observer,[13] San Marcos Daily Record,[14] The Huffington Post,[15] American Forces Network,[16] Fort Hood Sentinel,[17] The Rosie O'Donnell Radio Show,[18] Jezebel,[19] Lemondrop,[20] YouServed Radio,[21] Soldiers Angels Forum,[22] In Their Boots,[23] in addition to many others. Taryn was nominated for the 2010 Loreal Paris Women of Worth award and was named the 2010 L'Oreal Woman of Worth on December 9, 2010. L'Oreal[24] Taryn was recently chosen as one of five nominees for the 2011 Diane Von Furstenberg "People's Voice Award" Diane Von Furstenberg[25]

References
  1. ""Our Staff"". Archived from the original on 2010-04-18. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  2. "An awards show unlike any other". CNN. December 10, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  3. Hill, James & Hennessey, Jaime. “Military Widows Hit the Open Road”, “ABC World News”, March 25, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  4. Hillard, Gloria. “‘American Widow Project’ Born From Grief”, “National Public Radio”, November 11, 2008. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  5. Schechter, Dave. “In Their Boots”, “Anderson Cooper 360”, January 29, 2010. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  6. Kornet, Tracy. “North Texan Helps Start Project To Help War Widows”, “CBS 11”, July 3, 2008. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  7. “Military Widows Come Together on the ‘Net”, “ABC News”, February 29, 2008. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  8. “Organization Helps Military Widows”, “Military.com”, July 6, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  9. Martinez, Monica. “Army Widow Helps Heal the Wound”, “The Washington Times”, April 19, 2010. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  10. Biediger, Shari. “Tragedy to Triumph” Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine, “USAA Magazine Fall Edition”, September 20, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010
  11. Biediger, Shari. “Tragedy to Triumph” Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine, “USAA Magazine Winter Edition”, December 11, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  12. Esquivel, Paloma. “Brought Together By Grief”, “Los Angeles Times”, September 8, 2008. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  13. Brooks, Drew. “Golf Tournament Helps Heroes’ Widows”, “The Fayetteville Observer”, June 25, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  14. Miller, Anita. “Tearful Journey” Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, “San Marcos Daily Record”, July 11, 2008. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  15. Davis, Taryn. “American Widow Project: 6 Black Boxes”, “Huffington Post”, September 18, 2008. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  16. Michael, Michelle. “The Widow’s Battle” Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine, “American Forces Network Europe”, April 24, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  17. Graham, Heather. “American Widow Project: Widows Helping Widows”, “Fort Hood Sentinel”, April 9, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  18. “Rosie Radio Interview Veteran’s Day” Archived 2010-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, “Rosie Radio”, November 11, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  19. “American Widow Project Helps Military Wives Work Through Grief”, “Jezebel”, November 11, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  20. Smolinski, Julieanne. “Young Iraq Widow’s Project Helps Others Grieve”, “Lemondrop”, November 11, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  21. “AWP Founder on YouServed Radio” Archived 2009-08-05 at the Wayback Machine, “YouServed Radio”, July 16, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  22. Davis, Taryn. “Hi, My name is Military Widow”, “Soldiers Angels Forum”, October 1, 2009. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  23. Bender, Jan. “We Regret to Inform You”, “In Their Boots”, September 10, 2008. Retrieved on April 28, 2010.
  24. L'Oreal Paris. “L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth”, “L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth”, November 8, 2010. Retrieved on November 8, 2010.
  25. DVF People's Voice Award. "DVF People's Voice Award" Archived 2011-02-03 at the Wayback Machine, "Diane Von Furstenberg", January 31, 2011. Retrieved on February 3, 2011.

Sources
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