Jersey Girls facts for kids

The Jersey Girls were four amazing American women. They all lost their husbands in the terrible September 11 attacks. These women were Kristen Breitweiser, Patty Casazza, Lorie Van Auken, and Mindy Kleinberg. They all lived in New Jersey. They worked very hard to convince the U.S. government to investigate the attacks. Because of their efforts, the 9/11 Commission was created. This commission then released an important report about what happened.

How the 9/11 Commission Started

After the 9/11 attacks, many survivors and victims' families wanted answers. They strongly asked for an independent group to investigate. Leaders from different 9/11 family groups started working together. They wanted to convince political leaders to act.

The Jersey Girls were a big part of the 9/11 Family Steering Committee. This committee was very important in getting the 9/11 Commission created. They also pushed the commission to do a very careful and honest investigation.

A writer from The New York Times, Matthew Purdy, said that the commission was formed mostly because of pressure from families. He mentioned the four New Jersey widows, the "Jersey Girls." He also noted that the White House chose Tom Kean, a popular New Jersey politician, to lead it.

Kean became the head of the Commission after Henry Kissinger quit. According to Peter Lance, the Jersey Girls helped make Kissinger leave quickly. Lorie Van Auken shared a story about meeting Kissinger. She said they were surprised because Kissinger had many business ties, especially with Saudi Arabia. Kristen Breitweiser had researched his companies.

Van Auken asked Kissinger if he had any Saudi clients. He mumbled and asked for coffee. Then she asked if he had any clients named bin Laden. She said he almost fell off his chair.

A few months before the Commission's report came out, Tom Kean said the Jersey Girls called him all the time. He said they watched their progress and gave them some of the best questions to ask. He believed the commission might not even exist without them.

Concerns About the Commission's Leader

The Jersey Girls were also worried when Philip D. Zelikow was chosen as the main leader, or Executive Director, of the 9/11 Commission. They asked him to step down. They were concerned because he had close ties to the Bush family and the National Security Advisor. They felt this could be a conflict of interest.

Mindy Kleinberg explained that as Executive Director, Zelikow had the most important job. He hired the staff, decided what the commission would focus on, and chose who would speak at hearings.

Writer Joe Conason wrote that the widows worried Zelikow's connections might make the commission's final report seem less trustworthy. They asked for him to resign or be fired. However, the commission's co-chairmen, Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton, said no. A spokesman for the commission, Al Felzenberg, said Zelikow was chosen for his knowledge and experience. He praised the widows for their positive work but understood they might not be happy with everything the commission did.

Criticizing the Commission's Work

The Jersey Girls, as part of the 9/11 Family Steering Committee, watched the 9/11 Commission closely. They often criticized it, even though they had helped create it.

The Jersey Girls pushed the U.S. government for months to have National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice speak to the Commission. When Rice refused to speak under oath in March 2004, the Jersey Girls walked out in quiet protest. The White House then changed its mind, and Rice did testify.

Later, the widows felt that the Commission's report had left out important information. They then asked for a new independent group to investigate. Kristen Breitweiser said she was very upset and wanted answers. She wanted to know the truth. She called the 2004 findings "an utterly hollow report."

Speaking to Congress

The Jersey Widows spoke to a hearing in Congress on July 22, 2005. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney led this hearing.

Appearing in Media

The Jersey Widows were interviewed on the TV show NOW on PBS. They also appeared in a documentary film called 9/11: Press for Truth (2006).

Special Recognition

In 2005, Kristen Breitweiser received the Ron Ridenhour Prize. This award is given for "truth-telling." She won it for her important work with the Jersey Girls.