Candace is a master of teaching others how to transform passion into leadership. Learn more about select judges in the MY HERO International Film Festival. However, she is living proof that even I, an average Del Norte student, can change the world and all it takes a little fire and elbow grease. Completed artwork should reflect thoughtful ideas to show how the selected hero demonstrates heroic action and creates positive social change. Before starting MADD, Lightner had been uninvolved in social reform or politics. Accessed 27 Apr. The Flint Water Crisis exposed its residents to dangerous levels of lead, and still hasnt completely resolved. ." The determination in her cause makes Lightner a motivation for others to realize that hard work does pay off. DISCovering). In conclusion, Candace Lightner is a recognized hero for her restless work to make a change, the many lives she has impacted and saved, and the legacy she leaves with her success in improving the nation. Ms. Lightner headed MADD until 1985, when the board stripped her of the titles of chairman and chief executive after she inquired about getting a $10,000 bonus on top of her $76,000 annual salary. In addition to SADD, many other anti-drunk driving organizations have been established since the the issue has been brought into the spotlight, each making their own impact. Box 520, Schenectady, NY 12301; 518-372-0034, Drives By now, youve probably heard of the Flint Water Crisis. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Box 520, Schenectady, NY 12301; 518-372-0034, Drives On May 3, 1980, Lightners 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver at Sunset and New York Avenues in Fair Oaks, California. Candy Lightner's passion for making the streets safe inspires others to follow in her footsteps, whether to further her cause, or fight for a their own purpose. Candy Lightner wanted to give the youth the chance to grow up, unlike Cari, and not lose that opportunity because of reckless alcohol use ("Candy Lightner." She went to American River College in Sacramento and later married Steve Lightner. Born in 1946, activist Candy Lightner spent her early life in California. On May 3, 1980, 13-year-old Cari Lightner of Fair Oaks, California, is walking along a quiet road on her way to a church carnival when a car swerves out of control, striking and killing her. Candy Lightner, the angry mother of Cari Lightner who founded MADD in an effort to get tougher penalties for drunk drivers, now lives in Dallas. She also conceived, organized and or implemented visionary national programs including: Project Graduation, Victim Services, Alcohol Server Training, leadership conferences, volunteer recruitment and training, courtroom monitoring and speakers' bureaus. Millions of Americans wake up to Hoda Kotb, a host on the Emmy-award winning Today Show on NBC. People who work for a cause bigger than themselves and selflessly dedicate their lives to making a change for the better deserve recognition for their heroism. WebLightner, Candy Title ; Close. In the end, Candace Lightner is a real idol to everyone because of her nonstop pursuit of her selfless passion that saves lives across the world every day and the legacy she left behind that will continue past herself. "MADD at 20: Still a Force for Change." Lightner's persistence shone through and her dedication to her objective proved her investment to making a good difference. Director William A. Graham Writer Michael Braverman Stars Mariette Hartley Paula Prentiss Shelby Balik See production, box office & company info Add to An appreciation and respect for differences can make the world a better place for everyone. On May 3, 1980, Lightners 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver at Sunset and New York Avenues inFair Oaks, California. Candy Lightner giving a speech. Her father served in the U.S. Air Force, and her mother worked for this military branch as a civilian. She has continued to work on social and legal issues as an activist since then. Today, Hanna-Attisha advocates for children, immigrants, and women in STEM. Unlike most icons, Lightner is an amazing example of how, no matter one's background, everyone can make the change that needs to happen. The mother turned activist not only led the movement that made drunk driving socially unacceptable, she became a leading victims advocate, teaching victims and survivors how to fight for justice in the courtroom. Privacy Policy. Enter the 2022 MY Hero Songwriting/Music Video Contest! We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Candace Doddridge Lightner is the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and is an activist, author and worldwide inspiration. Founded in 1978, this volunteer grass-roots organization (P.O. MADD was accused on spending too much money on fundraising instead of on programs. Read our IMPACT:blog to see how teachers, visitors and organizations around the world are using MY HERO to affect positive changes in the world. After realizing that many alcohol related fatalities occurred among young adults and teens, she decided to act upon it: "By 1984, MADD had successfully lobbied the U.S. Congress to raise the national legal drinking age to 21, a change said to save approximately 800 lives annually" ("Candy Lightner." Nancy founded the Kelp Fest in 2009 in order to help local communities better understand and appreciate the kelp forest. 19, Gale, 1999. Concord, New Hampshire teacher Christa McAuliffe was chosen from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA Teacher in Space Project. Encyclopedia). Four days after Cari's death, Lightner started up a grassroots organization to advocate for stiffer penalties for drunk driving. Lightner had never organized anything, never given a public speech. She founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a grass-roots organization dedicated to curbing alcohol-related traffic deaths. She graduated from high school in 1964. This is the ultimate word finder tool, powered by an authoritative dictionary.We know words and word games. She graduated from high school in 1964. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. These days, Lightner has been sharing her expertise as an organizer and campaigner through her company C L and Associates. Now, it is more commonly known to citizens to prevent driving under the influence and many more precautions have been established. Lightner appeared on major television shows, spoke before the US Congress, addressed professional and business groups, and worked for many years to change public attitudes, modify judicial behavior, and promote tough new legislation. But within a week she had created Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), composed of herself, her father and her friend Sue LeBron. Sponsors. WebCandace Lightner is an award-winning author, speaker, producer, consultant and creator of the international corporations Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and We Save Lives. Smith, Lynn. However, in order for her to reach her goal, she was forced to take many risks along the way: "Lightner quit her real estate job and used her savings plus insurance money from Cari's death to finance almost 60 percent of the organization's expenses its first year" ("Candy Lightner. WebCandy Lightner, founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and We Save Lives (Link to WSL) is recognized nationally and internationally as the moving force behind reshaping the nation's attitude toward drunk driving. Ms. Lightner is also the executive producer of several videos including the international award winning and widely acclaimed video, Reflections from Inside that has been seen by more than 400 million people around the world and is still going strong. What benefits do these strategic relationships have for citizens, organizations and additional stakeholders? All three of Candy Lightner's children were affected by drunk drivers, from minor injuries, comas, brain damage, and even paralysis. Lightner giving a speech at a rally (http://iah210middleeastandtheworldsp09.pbworks.com ()), Candace Lightner left a legacy that will proceed beyond her as her cause against drunk driving spread across the globe. A mother of three, she worked as dental assistant and a real estate agent for 16 years before her life took a turn for the worse ("Candy Lightner. I often feel like an ant on this crowded planet which is a speck in the infinitely expanding universe. WebCandace Lightner is an award-winning author, speaker, producer, consultant and creator of the international corporations Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and We Save Lives. Candace Doddridge Lightner is the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and is an activist, author and worldwide inspiration. She believed that the young adults that only recently obtained their licenses should wait until they were mature enough to understand the risks of drunk driving. Here are six ways to celebrate. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. 2017. Candy Lightner (born 1946) transformed a personal trage dy into a crusade against drunk driving. I, https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/lightner-candy-1946, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Connecticut Chapter. These events led Lightner to found MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which later would grow into one of the largest internationally recognized nonprofit organizations. On May 3, 1980, Lightners 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver at Sunset and New York Avenues in This book will provide a source of comfort and understanding to those who must face the death of a loved one. Born Candace Doddridge on May 30, 1946, activist Candy Lightner grew up in California. Political commentator and comedian Maysoon Zayid wrote and performed one of the most-watched Ted Talks of all time, and is also one of Americas first female Muslim comedians. Therefore, her laws made it so that many unnecessary deaths of the youth were prevented and once again saved hundreds of lives around the country. However, after MADD, arrests became more efficient: "In Maryland, drunk-driving arrests by state police went up 45 percent, while highway fatalities decreased 20 percent. It is worth reading from cover to cover, for the book offers very genuine, specific, and honest advise from someone who knows about painful loss first hand." "They're just as affected by drunk driving as anyone else. DISCovering Biography, Gale, 2003. [intr.] Accessed 2 May 2017. Promising to change the way the nation viewed drunk driving, Lightner's tenacity kept her eyes on the goal as she wasted no time and climbed her way to become one of the most influential people in the nation in less than three years. With no previous experience in the field she ventured into unknown territory and took many risks in order to make a difference. Thanks to Lightner, with less reckless drivers on the road, the number of deaths fell dramatically and many lives were saved. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary.