CANDY LIGHTNER

Introduction

Candy Lightner, an activist, was born Candace Doddridge on May 30, 1946. Her parents, Dykes Charles Dodderidge and Katherine Dodderidge, raised her in Pasadena, California. Her father was a member of the United States Air Force, and her mother was a civilian employee in the same branch of the military. It was in 1964 that she received her high school diploma. After graduating from high school, Lightner went on to study at American River College in Sacramento. Subsequently, she worked as a dental assistant for a period of time.

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In the year 1984, President Ronald Reagan appointed Candy Lightner to serve on a national commission that was tasked with addressing this matter. Lightner resigned from his position at MADD the following year. Since that time, she has continued to work as an activist on a variety of social and legal concerns. Additionally, she acts as a consultant for several businesses and organizations.

Candy Lightner’s Advanced Life

The Tragedy That Changed Her

It was on May 3, 1980, when Candy Lightner had a devastating loss. On a suburban street in Fair Oaks, California, her daughter Cari, who was 13 years old at the time, was struck by a car while she was walking with a friend to attend a church funfair. She was struck with such power that she was catapulted 125 feet through the air and knocked out of her shoes.

A short time after the accident, Cari passed away. The driver that struck Cari did not come to a halt, and it was later discovered that he had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. This was not his first collision involving drunk driving. A short while before, he had been taken into custody for another event that was connected to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Lightner’s anger increased after she was informed by law enforcement that the motorist would most likely face minimal consequences for the death of Cari. She made the decision to pour her anger and sadness into the battle against drunk driving. According to her, the only sort of homicide that was considered socially acceptable was that which was inflicted by intoxicated drivers. On the day that Cari passed away, Lightner made a pledge to herself that she would work to make the senseless murder count for something positive in the years to come.

The Formation of “Mothers Against Drunk Driving”

What are the efforts of Candy Lighter? Candy Lightner established a grassroots organization to campaign for stricter punishments for driving under the influence of alcohol four days after Cari’s death. After being shocked by the leniency of the punishment that was handed down to the repeat offender of “driving while intoxicated” (DWI), Lightner went on to organise Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. She resigned from her position and utilized the money she had saved to start “Mothers Against Drunk Drivers,” which would subsequently be renamed “Mothers Against Drunk Driving.”

Both the promotion of stringent legislation against the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol and the raising of public awareness of the gravity of the situation were the goals of her organization. Lightner had no prior involvement in social reform or politics prior to the establishment of MADD. She disclosed to the media that she was not even registered to vote at the time. Towards the end of that year, Lightner joined forces with Cindi Lamb, whose daughter had been rendered paralysed as a result of an accident caused by drunk driving.

In October of that year, the two individuals traveled to Washington, District of Columbia, in order to bring attention to the problem of drunk driving. Lightner demonstrated that she was a dedicated fighter in order to advance her cause. Throughout the years, Lightner relentlessly campaigned to influence public views, modified court behavior, and advocated stringent new legislation.

Candy Lightner also made appearances on prominent television shows, addressed professional and business groups, and addressed the United States Congress. She went to the office of Governor Jerry Brown of California on a daily basis until the governor convened a state commission to investigate drunk driving. Lightner was one of the first individuals to be appointed to the commission. She established herself as a key crusader on this matter by giving speeches and lobbying across the country.

In the year 1984, President Ronald Reagan chose her to serve on the National Commission on “Drunk Driving.” Through his involvement with MADD, Lightner was able to assist in the passage of new anti-drunk driving legislation in individual states as well as on a nationwide level. During this time period, the group was responsible for a number of notable victories, one of which was the passage of a national law that increased the legal drinking age to 21 years old.

Additionally,Candy Lightner’s activism served as a source of motivation for her daughter, Serena, who established the organization known as “Students Against Drunk Driving.” In 1985, Lightner left the organization that she had formed in response to allegations of financial mismanagement. MADD was accused of spending an excessive amount of money on fundraising rather than on programs. She has later acknowledged that she did not start MADD in order to cope with alcohol and that it has grown significantly more neo-prohibitionist than she had ever planned or imagined it would be.

During her time at MADD, Candy Lightner had contributed to the organization’s growth into a global movement, regardless of the circumstances surrounding her departure. She stated to CNN that the organization has around 400 chapters located all over the world and had garnered two million members in the first three years of its existence.

Subsequent Years

Following her departure from MADD, Lightner resumed her career as a public speaker and social activist. The book Giving Sorrow Words: How to Cope with Grief and Get on with Your Life was written by her in the year 1990. Lightner received praise from President Ronald Reagan for her efforts in bringing attention to the perils of driving under the influence of alcohol.

After a period of four years, Candy Lightner was subjected to criticism for her decision to accept a position as a lobbyist for the spirits sector. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, she stated that she did not consider the liquor industry to be an adversary. She added that they were just as harmed by drunk driving as everyone else, and that drunk driving did not in any way contribute to the growth of their firm.

In recent times, Lightner has been utilizing her company, C L and Associates, to disseminate her knowledge and experience as an organizer and campaigner. She is also the president of “We Save Lives,” a nonprofit organization that works to address issues related to public safety. She continues to be a strong advocate and community leader against driving while under the influence of drugs, while under the influence of alcohol, and while distracted.

During the period of October 1994 to March 1995, Lightner, who is of Lebanese descent, also held the position of president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Awards and Recognition

Candy Lightner is the subject of a made-for-television movie titled Mothers Against Drunk Drivers: the Candy Lightner story.

She is also the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Action Award, of an honorary doctorate in humanities and public service, and of an honorary doctorate in public service.

Candy Lightner’s Personal Life

Shortly after she finished her college degree, Candy Lightner tied the knot with Steve Lightner, who served in the United States Air Force. During the course of their marriage and before getting a divorce, they became parents to three children: two daughters Cari and Serena, and a son Travis. Both Cari and Serena were identical twins, and Travis was the final child to be born to them. In the aftermath of the divorce, Lightner relocated to Fair Oaks, California, with her children. It was then that she began her career as a real estate agent.