Judy Shepard

Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, the University of Wyoming student who was brutally murdered last year because of his homosexuality, is speaking out about hate crimes at campuses nationwide. She is speaking to audiences about what they can do to make their schools and communities safer for everyone, regardless of their race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation. In the aftermath of their son's death, Judy and Dennis Shepard started the Matthew Shepard Foundation to help carry on Matthew's legacy by embracing the just causes their son had championed. Mrs. Shepard has also appeared in three different public service announcements, one of which is currently in heavy rotation on MTV.