The Survivors

The Survivors: Jennifer Pinckney, Felicia Sanders, Polly Sheppard

Among the victims of the Emanuel AME Church shooting are five survivors – three adults and two children who have shown incredible grace in becoming examples of powerful forgiveness for Charleston and the nation.

As an example, Polly Sheppard, a retired nurse and Emanuel AME Church trustee, was participating in the Bible study the night of the tragedy. Displaying tremendous grace throughout, she stated in an interview, “… And (God) left us here to do something, be a light to someone else.”

Jennifer Pinckney, wife of the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, and their daughter Malana, who was 6 years old at the time of the shooting, were blocked in the pastor’s study adjacent to the hall and room where the shooting took place. Jennifer Pinckney serves on the Women’s Coalition for Common Sense, which focuses on engaging women leaders in preventing gun violence. She is intent on carrying out her husband’s legacy of supporting public education and healthcare access through The Honorable Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney Foundation, which she founded.