Rebecca Townsend died on Thursday, July 2, 2015. She was 17 years old. She’s loved and known by many, I know this because I’m Facebook friends with many of those who now grieve her.
I’m about three degrees removed from knowing Rebecca, so I found out about her death on Saturday morning, July 4th. I volunteer for an organization that Rebecca was an active part of — She’s the First.
She’s the First is a non-profit that sponsors girls’ education; Rebecca was involved through a campus chapter she founded at her high school.
She’s the First posted on its Facebook page on Saturday morning:
“Rebecca’s passion and energy for She’s the First has been an inspiration to all of us, and we are devastated at her loss.”
I got a variation of this message via email right before the Facebook post went up. As soon as I read it I was overwhelmingly sad. I was upset by how the world kept spinning, and celebrating the Fourth of July, when a couple of states over there were sisters, cousins and parents who were feeling the loss of someone they love.
Rebecca’s death was tragic for all the reasons the news articles outline, but even more so for all the reasons her family now sits with.
In an effort to do Rebecca’s memory justice, her family started a Facebook page — Remembering Rebecca.
Her family asks that in Rebecca’s honor you commit to “showing kindness to others.” Use the hashtag #RememberingRebecca any time you do so.
Our thoughts are with Rebecca’s family and friends.
To donate to the Rebecca Townsend Wristband Drive go here.
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