Michigan Women's Voices Call for Action After Sandy Hook Massacre

Near the end of a holiday celebrating "the triumph of light over darkness", we are mourning the tragic deaths of six adults and 20 children in the second worst mass shooting in U.S. history. 

Combing through social media and blogs over the past 48 hours, we found women's words that express outrage, determination, even hope for a better world. We share them in the hope of inspiring you to do as President Barack Obama suggests and "be at our best as Americans".

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It takes a community to turn children into the leaders they grow up to be. It takes a community to address violence and tragedy. It takes a community to support and promote a strong education program. Just as they are coming together in Connecticut, we must come together and stand together against violence and the loss of innocence in our community so that a tragedy like this doesn’t happen close to home. It is our responsibility.

Julie Abshire, Wyandotte Patch Investing in Innocence

As a parent, I like the idea of telling kids to “look for the helpers.” It is a simple but powerful way to shift the focus from evil to good.

And maybe, as we look for the helpers, parents and caring adults can talk about ways everyone, including children, can be helpers.

We can pray for all those affected by the shooting.

We can send a card to Sandy Hook Elementary to let that community know we mourn with them.

We can show kindness to those around us who are hurting, who feel left out, who need a friend.

Sue Thoms, MLive.com Look for The Helpers: How Can We Apply the Wisdom of Mr. Rogers in Wake of Shooting in Connecticut?

What I want is for somebody to feel that the Newtown horror, the Connecticut tragedy, the American killing of 20 innocents and six of their protectors is finally the action, the horror, the moment that changes things, that leads to a type of gun control that can protect children, all children, in honor of these children.

Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press Perhaps Gun Control Now Possible in Honor of 20 Dead Children

We are all moved to tears & heartaches for those families who will be burying their children and loved ones in the days to come. But, until we are moved to action, to demand our elected leaders do something to stop the bloodshed, we are all culpable in the spread of gun violence across this country.

Lori Haas, Moms Rising Please... 

I believe it is upon the mothers of America now to raise their voices and oppose the gun culture. It is time for them to call on their leaders to pass stronger laws limiting access to guns. It is time for mothers of America to ensure that these kids death will began a new revolution opposing the "Crazy Gun” culture.

Leymah Gbowee, The Daily Beast Rise Up, Mothers. It's Time to End Gun Violence

After the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School Friday, a spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger said that it might have meant “the difference between life and death for many innocent bystanders.” This is a popular theory of civic self-defense that discounts endless evidence that in a sudden crisis, civilians with guns either fail to respond or respond by firing at the wrong target.

Gail Collins, New York Times Looking for America

And we must aspire and act together to become the world leader in protecting children against gun violence rather than leading the world in child victims of guns. Every child’s life is sacred and it is long past time that we protect all our children.

Marian Wright Edelman, Huffington Post  Dear God! When Will It Stop? 

As citizens, we must all take a stand. March, protest, Facebook, Tweet, write your congressman, senators and legislators urging them to ban guns. Send the President this petition and speak up for the 20 innocent children who no longer have a voice.

Rana Florida Shame on Us, America: Take a Stand and #BanGuns Now

I later read that when some of the children escaped, the rescuers told them to hold hands and shut their eyes so they wouldn't have to witness the terror around them. "Close your eyes," they were instructed.

We need to open ours.

Melissa Sher On Friday Morning

If we will not implement gun control, and will not make mental health a universal, destigmatized resource, then the least we can do is protect the most obvious targets of the mentally unstable people who commit these crimes. 

Tracy Moore, jezebel.com Connecticut Elementary School Shootings: Who Are We Supposed to Be Mad At? 

If you want to do something more: How to Help Families Affected by Newtown School Shooting