Sybrina Fulton recalled her depression and prayers for help after her teenage son, Trayvon Martin, was fatally shot in 2012.
“I said, 'God, give me strength. Give me strength.' But be careful when you ask for strength, because He's going to give it to you,” she said. “Then what are you going to do with that strength?”
Ms. Fulton told roughly 200 people of her channeling that support into something positive. Her speech Saturday at SeaGate Convention Centre focused on peace and hope.
Prior to her son's death, Ms. Fulton lived an average life. It changed in February, 2012 when George Zimmerman fatally shot the Martin youth, 17, in Sanford, Fla.
“When I first sat down, I had hopes that the justice system would see this unarmed 17-year-old opposed to a wannabe cop with a loaded gun,” she said. “But the system wouldn't let them see that because of the color of my son's skin.”
Mr. Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch volunteer, was acquitted of second-degree murder. He claimed he fatally shot the teen in self-defense.
Ms. Fulton said the worst day of her life was seeing her son laid to rest. He looked as if he was going to prom, she said.
“He was dressed in all white. And I can still see him now,” Ms. Fulton said.
She believed she would never again smile or be happy, and felt a constant depression. Ms. Fulton removed herself from family and friends. As people across the country remarked on her strength, Ms. Fulton would every day look at the mirror to say she was strong.
Only fellow mothers who lost a child can comprehend the true level of pain, Ms. Fulton said. She created a Circle of Mothers program to better help them heal.
Those interested in creating change locally can connect with nonprofit groups, vote in every election, and take seriously notices for jury duty, Ms. Fulton said. There was not one African-American juror on the Zimmerman trial, she said.
She recently announced her own candidacy for Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners in Florida.
Meloney Osby, 59, of Toledo called the speech both awesome and inspiring. Ms. Fulton delved into the struggle she felt, she said.
“A lot of people want to skip over the pain part, but she showed the progression how she progressed out of the pain,” she said.
The speech encouraged Ms. Osby to take more involvement in local organizations against violence, particularly involving youth, she said.
For Stephanie Potter-Flint, Ms. Fulton's talk offered an uplifting view and strength, she said.
“It shines light where there's darkness. You see hope,” said Ms. Potter-Flint, 53, of Toledo.
Ms. Fulton's speech was part of the Neighborhood Health Association's Sister Care Series. These programs aim to educate, advocate, and empower women through discussing important issues.
First Published May 25, 2019, 10:42 p.m.
