Sarah Brady facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Brady
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Brady in 1984
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| Born |
Sarah Jane Kemp
February 6, 1942 |
| Died | April 3, 2015 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Gun control advocate |
| Years active | 1986–2015 |
| Spouse(s) | |
Sarah Jane Brady (born Kemp; February 6, 1942 – April 3, 2015) was a strong supporter of stricter gun laws in the United States. Her husband, James Brady, worked as the press secretary for U.S. president Ronald Reagan. He was seriously injured during an attempt to assassinate President Reagan. This event led Sarah Brady to become a leading voice for gun safety.
Contents
Sarah Brady's Life Story
Sarah Jane Kemp was born on February 6, 1942, in Kirksville, Missouri. Her father, L. Stanley Kemp, was a teacher who later became an FBI agent. Her mother, Frances Kemp, was a former teacher and homemaker. Sarah had a younger brother named Bill. She grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and finished high school there in 1959.
She went to the College of William & Mary and graduated in 1964. For four years, from 1964 to 1968, she worked as a public school teacher in Virginia. Sarah married James Brady in Alexandria on July 21, 1973. Their only child, James "Scott" Brady Jr., was born on December 29, 1978.
Early Career in Politics
Before her marriage, Sarah Brady worked in politics. From 1968 to 1970, she was an assistant for the campaign director of the National Republican Congressional Committee. This group helps elect members of the Republican Party to the U.S. House of Representatives.
After that, she worked as an administrative aide for two different Republican politicians: Mike McKevitt from Colorado and Joseph J. Maraziti from New Jersey. From 1974 to 1978, she was the director of administration and coordinator of field services for the Republican National Committee. This is the main organization for the Republican Party in the United States.
Advocating for Gun Safety
On March 30, 1981, her husband, James Brady, was shot during an attempt to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. He suffered a serious head injury that left him permanently disabled. Even though he was injured, James Brady remained the White House Press Secretary for the rest of Reagan's time in office, mostly in a special role.
After this event, Sarah Brady and her husband became very important leaders in the movement for gun safety. They joined a group called Handgun Control, Inc. This organization later changed its name to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Sarah Brady was the chairwoman of the Brady Campaign from 2000 until she passed away in 2015.
In 1994, Sarah and James Brady received the S. Roger Horchow Award. This award is given each year by the Jefferson Awards to private citizens who do great public service. Also in 1994, they received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
Later Life and Passing
Sarah Brady passed away on April 3, 2015, in Alexandria, Virginia. She was 73 years old and died from pneumonia. Her husband, James, had also passed away at the age of 73 the year before, on August 4, 2014.
Her Book: A Good Fight
In 2002, Sarah Brady wrote her autobiography, which is a book about her own life. It was called A Good Fight. The book focuses on her personal challenges and her strong will and bravery, rather than just on gun control.
After the book was released, former President Bill Clinton praised her. He said she had "given the gift of life to countless thousands and thousands of Americans" through her work.
The book gives a close look at her public and private life. It includes a detailed and exciting story of the efforts to pass the Brady Bill. This bill required background checks for gun purchases. Reviewers described Sarah Brady as a determined person who never gave up, even with her husband's injury, her son's health problems, and her own fight against smoking and lung cancer.
