Bio

Mary Fetchet is the Founding Director and driving force behind VOICES of September 11th. A professional social worker, Ms. Fetchet co-founded the 9/11 advocacy organization following the death of her 24-year-old son, Brad, in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Ms. Fetchet's mission was clear and simple: create an organization that addresses the ongoing needs of survivors and families of the nearly 3,000 victims, rescue workers and survivors while promoting awareness for prevention, preparedness and response related to terrorism. Based in New Canaan, CT, the international organization serves as a clearinghouse of information for 9/11-related issues, offers links to related resources and provides an expanding range of services. These programs include support groups, lectures, forums and outreach to all those affected by the events of September 11th and beyond. Recently, the organization launched the 9/11 Living Memorial project, an online digital archive commemorating the lives and stories of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. Ms. Fetchet believes the 9/11 Living Memorial will become the definitive web-based 9/11 memorial and resource for future generations.

Ms. Fetchet has achieved significant local and national praise for her advocacy work that involves, among other issues, the respectful recovery of remains, appropriate family notification processes, and the creation of a proper memorial at the WTC site. A strong advocate for raising national and local preparedness, Ms. Fetchet campaigned for the creation of the independent 9/11 Commission and continues to promote the implementation of the Commission\'s recommendations for government reforms. She has testified before the 9/11 Commission, and before the United States Senate and House of Representatives on five occasions. She has made countless appearances on national television programs, and frequently contributes to print and radio news media. Ms. Fetchet has served on a number of advisory boards and organizations including: The Family Steering Committee for the 9/11 Independent Commission, the National Homeland Defense Foundation, the National Traumatic Stress Network, the Coalition of 9/11 Families, the Family Advisory Committee of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), and Columbia’s WTC Evacuation Study.

Ms. Fetchet's work has brought her substantial recognition that includes being a recipient of the National Justice Award in 2003 and being presented with the 'Connecticut Hero' award by Senator Joseph Lieberman in September 2004. She was also named an ABC News Person of the Year in December 2004. Other honors include a 2005 Red Cross Award, a 2005 Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellowship, and a 2006 "Connecticut's Most Uncommon Women" award.

A graduate of Columbia University with an M.S. degree, Ms. Fetchet worked as a clinical social worker at Bridges, an outpatient mental health clinic in Milford, CT. She lives in New Canaan with her husband Frank, and has two surviving sons, Chris, age 19, and Wes, age 26.

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