Mobile Menu

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • TWE & TEAM
    • CONTRIBUTORS
  • PODCASTS
  • INTERVIEWS
    • TWE STORIES
  • BOOKS
    • 20 WOMEN STORYTELLERS
    • 20 WOMEN CHANGEMAKERS
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CONTACT
  • SEARCH THIS SITE
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

ENCORE: Scarlett Lewis-A Mother's Journey of Hope and Forgiveness After Sandy Hook

Your browser does not support the audio element.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • ADVERTISE

TWE Logo 2

The World As We See It

Header Right

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • TWE & TEAM
    • CONTRIBUTORS
  • PODCASTS
  • INTERVIEWS
    • TWE STORIES
  • BOOKS
    • 20 WOMEN STORYTELLERS
    • 20 WOMEN CHANGEMAKERS
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CONTACT
  • SEARCH THIS SITE

Tucson: Remembering the Victims One Year Later

January 15, 2012 //  by Pamela Burke//  Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Email
Safeway Memorial in Tucson-1/8/12--Photo: Pamela Burke
Memorial in front of Safeway in Tucson/1-10-12

Photos and Story by Pamela Burke/January 15, 2012

It’s been just over a year since the terrible incident at the Safeway supermarket in Tucson where Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was so brutally shot. Last year we visited the city at this time to see the incredible outpouring from its residents to honor the Congresswoman and all the victims.

A Safeway in Tucson by Tom Zoellner It was time to return to see what had changed and how the city was remembering those who got caught up in the unimaginable horror of that day.

Tom Zoellner, the author of the new book A Safeway in Arizona, describes what happened as “shaking us to the core.” This award-winning journalist spoke recently at Changing Hands bookstore in Phoenix about his attempts to get to the bottom of “the Event” as it’s been called and to paint a loving and accurate portrait of his home state.

He says that the folks gathered in front of the market that morning “had been ordinary people up until this moment. Now their names and movements were being written in red pen.”

Here are a few moving tributes and markers by and for the people of Tuscon that I saw during the anniversary week…

Kindness Bench outside of "Ben's Bells" Tucson: Photo--Pamela Burke

This is what I call a “kindness bench,” which is covered in personalized tiles honoring people who have inspired kindness. It was built by students two years ago in collaboration with Ben’s Bells, a project started in 2002 by Jeannette Maré to honor the memory of her two-year-old son Ben who died suddenly.

It and several others sit outside of the studio where the bells you see below are made for the sole purpose of spreading hope and kindness. Early in the morning of the anniversary more than 1,000 of these handmade symbols began to be distributed throughout the city.

Each one is made with the help of ten people. Tags are attached with the message: “Take it home, hang it and remember to spread kindness.” The idea is spreading nationally and internationally as more ceramic studios open. Although the project started long before last year, it has grown and become part of the city’s fabric since the shooting incident.

Ben's Bells hanging in studio in Tucson: Photo--Pamela Burke

A few miles away you can find a special tribute honoring the memory of Gabriel Zimmerman, Giffords’ aide and outreach director, who received mortal wounds that day. The plaque and photo of Gabe are in a prominent place in the Congresswoman’s office.

Tucson memorial to Gabriel ZimmermanThe photo caption reads:

Gabriel Matthew Zimmerman was a colleague and friend.

He was bright, fearless and loving. He cared about people, ideas and justice and was committed to his role as Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ constituent supervisor and community outreach director.

On January 8, 2011 he was killed in the line of duty. In his short time on earth, Gabe taught us about compassion and commitment.

He is loved and missed.

The massive display of flowers, balloons, notes, flags, and photos is long gone from the University Medical Center. Items gathered from there were reported to fill 60 boxes and may be used in a future permanent memorial. But on a corner further north, in front of that Safeway in Arizona, is a grouping of boulders carefully placed in a once terrifying space to honor the victims of the senseless shooting. Flowers and other tributes are not far away.

A Safeway spokesperson standing nearby told me, “This memorial is not about us. It’s about the community. There’s a sense of connectivity here that you’re not going to find anywhere else. ”

The granite boulders stand as a reminder…

Safeway Boulders for the 1/8/11 Tragedy: Photo--Pamela Burke

Six sturdy rocks surround one large one to remember those who were killed…

Victims Memorial at Safeway in Tucson: Photo: Pamela Burke

A small plaque mounted on the largest boulder honors all the victims…

The placque at Safeway Tucson honorin victims: Photo--Pamela Burke

Flowers and a newspaper nearby evoke memories of that unforgettable day…

Remembering Safeway victims Tucson 1/10/12--Photo Pamela Burke

A poinsettia accompanies another headline…

Poinsettia and newspaper headline Tucson 1/10/12: Photo--Pamela Burke

Six crosses and a candle appear across the busy street close-by…

6 crosses near Safeway in Tucson 1/10/12--Photo-Pamela Burke

And a sign near the shooting site sends a message of hope.

Tucson Safeway's new memorial was erected 1/10/12: Photo: Pamela Burke

Zoellner ends his book with the spirit of renewal as well, writing, “The example Gabrielle set on the morning of January 8–reaching out to strangers at the fringe of a Safeway–is not a bad place to begin again.”

###

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Email

Category: Story of the WeekTag: Ben's Bells, Gabe Zimmerman, Gabrielle Giffords, Safeway Memorial, Tom Zoellner, Tucson Memorial, Tucson shooting, Tucson Tragedy

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to The Women's Eye
and get our latest updates in your Inbox!

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Related Posts

If you liked this post, you might also be interested in these:

Women's Leadership Conference Group Shot/Photo Courtesy WLC

Women’s Leadership Conference Will Tackle Timely Topics While Changing Lives

Lisa See, bestselling author, and Pamela Burke, founder TWE

TWE STORY OF THE WEEK: 2017 Books Not To Miss

Photo: VegasStrong1 photo of Las Vegas First Responders | Photo by Daniel Sundahl

STORY OF THE WEEK: “Vegas Strong” Photo Helps Las Vegas First Responders Heal

Catherine Anaya/Women's Eye--Changemaker Book

“20 WOMEN CHANGEMAKERS” HAS ARRIVED!

Jessica Posner and Kennedy Odebe/Photo from Jessica's book Find Me Unafraid

Jessica Posner and Kennedy Odede Transform Africa’s Largest Urban Slum

Paula McLain; speaking at Book Passage, Aug. 2015/Photo: Pam Burke

Author Paula McLain Reimagines the Lives of Two Remarkable Women

Dr. Christine Carter/Photo: Blake Farrington with her book, The Sweet Spot

Dr. Christine Carter on Finding Your Sweet Spot at Home and Work

Combat Journalist Lynsey Addario at work/Photo from Lynsey

Photojournalist Lynsey Addario On Her Relentless Pursuit of Truth

Hillary Clinton and Kara Swisher at Lead on Conference Silicon Valley, Feb. 24, 2015--Getty Photo

STORY OF THE WEEK: Hillary Clinton Powers Inaugural Lead On Conference for Women

Justices O'Connor and McGregor at Empowerment Luncheon YWCA Phoenix 1/13/15--Photo;: YWCA

An Empowering Luncheon with Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

Elizabeth Smart at Signs of Hope 40th Anniv Dinner for Rape Crisis Center, Las Vegas, Oct. 2014--Photo: Rape Crisis Center

Elizabeth Smart Spreads Message of Hope to Sexual Abuse Victims

Sam Barry and the late Kathi Kamen Goldmark-2009 |

Celebrating Kathi Kamen Goldmark’s Life and ‘Her Wild Oats’

Previous Post: «Sandra Marquez Stathis book: Rubble Top 10: Rubble—Search for a Haitian Boy by Sandra Marquez Stathis
Next Post: Top 10: Moms Turn Furniture Refinishing Into Successful Businesses Natalie Cox, Natty by Design, Turns Furniture Refinishing Into a Business in Gilbert, Az»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer

Inspiration

Many times it takes enormous determination and courage in the face of fear and uncertainty. Leading is about passion. Stand up and do it if something needs changing.

Holly Gordon, Producer Girl Rising

TWE Podcasts

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Search our Archives

  • ABOUT THE WOMEN’S EYE TEAM
  • TWE Radio/Podcasts
  • TWE Interviews & Stories
  • Contact Us

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2010–2022 by The Women's Eye, L.L.C. All rights reserved ยท Privacy Policy | Terms of Use