Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Need

It was the nightmare parents pray will never happen, yet it came true with blazing colors for the Webb family. On a weekend evening 28 years ago in Franklin, Tennessee, a drinking driver rear-ended the car carrying Millie, her husband Roy, their four-and-a-half-year-old daughter Lori and 19-month-old nephew Mitchell. As their car burst into flames, Millie and the children were catapulted onto the road. Roy used his bare hands to put out the flames engulfing their bodies. But the fiery crash had already taken its toll.

Seven months pregnant at the time, Millie suffered severe burns over nearly 75 percent of her body and a broken neck. Roy also suffered severe burns. While Millie and Roy were in critical condition at the hospital, their lives forever changed around them. Little Mitchell lived for only six hours. Their daughter Lori suffered for two weeks before dying from burns covering her body. Lori had such a bubbly personality, remembers Millie. They told us that she even asked for her allowance while she was in the Intensive Care Unit. I still have two of the dollar bills relatives gave her before she died.

They gave me no hope for survival. Back then, people didnt survive burns over 60 percent. I was in such delicate condition that they couldnt tell me Lori was already dead and buried, said Millie. When I found out, I was too burned to be hugged and I couldnt even raise my hands to wipe my tears. Tears on a burn victim are like salt on an open wound.

Solution

In 1981, Millie began her fight to help prevent others from experiencing the pain caused by drunk drivers. After hearing about the newly founded organization on a TV movie, Millie helped form the first MADD chapter in Tennessee. Millie was elected to the MADD national board in 1991 after serving in volunteer leadership positions for MADD Tennessee.

Impact

Now at MADDs helm, Millie hopes to touch hearts and help save lives as she leads the organization into its 20th anniversary and the new millennium. Her agenda includes raising awareness for MADDs victim services, furthering outreach to diverse communities and efforts to prevent underage drinking. Millie will also promote the passage of the Constitutional Amendment for Victims Rights-an amendment that would give rights for victims of crime.