Voices of Our Wisters® (Widow + Sisters):

“The Modern Widows Club has provided a level of support and understanding I couldn’t find elsewhere. Connecting with women who have experienced the same level of loss has helped me navigate grief with more clarity and confidence. The support, resources, and meaningful live conversations have had a steady, grounding impact on my life as I rebuild both personally and professionally. The Parenting Club has been a real lifeline as I try to solo parent two boys. ”

Parenting Club Member

Christine S.

Facilitator

Just after midnight on New Year's Eve 2005, Michelle received the devastating news that her husband of 11 years had been killed by a reckless driver. At the age of 40, she was left to raise their heartbroken 7 and 9 year old daughters. Over many years, she navigated the lengthy process of rebuilding a family while supporting her children's grief and processing her own. Along the way, she crossed paths with other widowed parents and developed close friendships with them, experiencing firsthand how peers can provide a unique support that only comes from "someone who gets it.” Once her children were grown, she wanted to "pay it forward" by creating a supportive community of widowed parents. To complement her lived experience, she completed a Master of Science in Family & Human Development at Arizona State University in 2022-23, focusing all of her research on the needs of grieving families. In the process, she discovered Modern Widows Club and knew she had found a place to connect with widowed parents. She assumed the role of Parenting Support Club Facilitator in early 2023, and launched the current peer support and widowed parent education programs in January 2024. Later that year, she received certification as a Trained Coach of the Online Resilient Parenting for Bereaved Families program, and has since been guiding parents through its evidence-based curriculum. She is also a Certified Positive Discipline Educator and graduate of the Cal Voices Wise-U Peer Support Specialist Training program. Michelle fervently believes that all widowed parents need and deserve support in their very demanding role. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve, educate, and encourage widowed parents through her role as Parenting Support Club Facilitator.

Michelle Walker

Widowed Parent & Parenting Club Facilitator