Cleopatra Cowley has been a leader in the gun violence prevention movement.
In 2015, Cowley’s daughter, Hadiya Pendleton, was shot and killed in a park in Chicago just days after performing at President Obama’s second inauguration. In the aftermath of this horrific tragedy, Cowley founded Hadiya’s Promise, an organization dedicated to ending the gun violence epidemic. Cowley also began the We Wear Orange campaign, honoring Hadiya and all of those impacted by gun violence.
Cowley said:
When my daughter, Hadiya Pendleton, was murdered, I knew I needed to turn my family's pain into a purpose
In the Illinois State House of Representatives, Cowley vows to address the root causes of gun violence that have devastated Chicago communities. She is committed to addressing economic disinvestment and the lack of mental health services, while holding the gun industry accountable.
The Brady Campaign is proud to endorse Cleopatra Cowley on her campaign to represent Illinois’ 34th district in the Illinois State House of Representatives.