In this episode of Senior Bitches, MJ interviews Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, and one of the most kick ass women on the planet. Taking on the NRA and gun reform legislation she has grown her organization from seventy five people to over ten million strong. They discuss her journey as an activist, the importance of reflection and growth in the face of adversity, and the current state of America, especially for women. They explore themes of apathy, the need for community support, and the significance of standing up for marginalized groups, all while emphasizing the necessity of taking action despite imperfections.

Shannon shares how her possey of activist ‘soccer moms’ took on a giant like Starbucks and changed their policy over open permitless carry by saying no to Mocha Frappachinos and muffins by the thousands. She also addresses the challenges of facing intimidation and threats while advocating for change, and reflects on America's complex relationship with gun culture. Finally, she advocates for empowering women in politics as a crucial step towards a more compassionate and effective democracy.

More About Shannon Watts:

Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action, the largest grassroots group fighting gun violence in the U.S. Known as the ‘summoner of women’s audacity,’ she has been named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, a Forbes 50 over 50 Changemaker, and a GlamourWoman of the Year. During the 2024 election, she organized the largest Zoom gathering in history, mobilizing over 200K voters and raising over $11 million in support of the Kamala Harris campaign and co-hosted the weekly Women Wednesdays for Harris calls with Indivisible. Helping to redefine what’s possible when audacious women unite to drive change, she writes regularly about culture, politics and women’s issues for her Substack, Playing with Fire, and outlets like The Washington Post, Elle, Time, The 19th. Her next book, Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, will be released in 2025.

https://firedupbook.com

https://shannonwatts.substack.com

IG: @Shannonrwatts

Connect with Mary Jo Eustace:

https://www.instagram.com/maryjoeustace/

https://substack.com/@maryjoeustace

Listen to the Senior Bitches Podcast on the Women in Media Network:

https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/senior-bitches/

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