Mary Johnson

Founder, "From Death to Life" healing group for mothers :: June 2007

Many deeply inspirational people have received Sullivan Ballou awards, but we know of no one who has turned suffering into healing as you have. Fifteen years ago you went through the agony of having your 20 year old son murdered. You experienced the grieving process shared by all mothers of murder victims. But then you began to turn the iron of your tragedy into the gold of healing. Finding support from the mothers of other victims, you facilitated support groups in north and south Minneapolis. Then you saw a connection that few others perceived—that the mothers of sons who have murdered had lost their sons, too. This led to the formation of the group “Two Mothers", which brings together the mothers of victims and the mothers of  offenders to find healing from each other. In fact, you have even gone one step further. You have found it in your heart to get to know the man who killed your son, to forgive him, and even to love him as a son.

Your journey has been a remarkable example of the power of heart energy to transcend the boundaries of ordinary emotions.   This is exactly the kind of pure heart-work, done without  a hint of a personal agenda or hope of recognition or reward, which the Sullivan Ballou Fund seeks to recognize and affirm We honor you today for your work, but we also learn from you.  You teach us that heart energy is what matters. We are inspired by your example.

Congratulations!
Elissa and Bruce Peterson, Founding Members

Sullivan Ballou letter