EVERETT — Jenny Wieland honors her daughter with every hug she offers, every hand she holds, every dollar she raises, with every fight she takes up.
Wieland is a survivor and she hasn’t forgotten those who helped her in the days and months and years after her only child, Amy Ragan, 17, was shot to death by a man with a stolen handgun.
Next week, Wieland is expected to travel to Washington, D.C., to accept a national award for all the work she has done advocating for victim rights. Wieland is the executive director of Everett-based Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims.
The Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award is given to a crime victim or survivor who uses their experience to educate and advocate for public policies and a greater awareness for those affected by crime.
“The most amazing thing about Jenny is her personal tragedy is never far away but never gets in the way,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Mark Roe said. “She has turned the tragedy of what happened to her daughter into a triumph for crime victims all across the state.”
Roe serves on the board of Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims. The nonprofit agency serves crime victims in a dozen counties and relies greatly on volunteers, many of whom have lost someone to violence.
“Jenny embodies the true, everyday American hero and fully deserved the nomination for this award. We are all proud that she was chosen out of so many worthy applicants and honored in this way,” said U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash.
Reichert nominated Wieland for the award.
A Bellingham volunteer, Barb Skudlarick, also is expected to receive a national volunteer award next week from the U.S. Department of Justice. Skudlarick is a first-responder for the agency and also leads a support group.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com.
Learn more
For more information about Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims, go to www.FNFVCV.org or call 425-252-6081.
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