Joyce Raynor

Joyce Raynor is the Executive Director of Healing Hearts and Spirits. Her life was completely altered when her son was killed by a gang member. She left her job and with her own money, set up a non-profit organization to help crime survivors and to reach at-risk youth and to help those dealing with abuse at home. She emphasized the importance of prayer above anything else: it took long time to reach a point of being able to forgive her son’s killer, but it was prayer that brought her to that point. She emphasized that to do this work of healing and reconciliation, one needs patience, persistence, and perseverance. Ms Raynor has received many awards and recognitions, but said that this HerStory Award has meant the most to her. Through issues that badly affected her health she has always fought her way back to serve again. She has such a deep love for people and it is this love that comes from God that motivates her to keep going.

She was awarded the HerStory award at a first Bridge of Peace event organized in Arkansas on December 18, 2017.