Episode 374. Whitney Austin-Director & Co-Founder of the Whitney/Strong Organization

The Whitney/Strong Organization is a non-profit focused on responsible gun ownership & ending gun violence by taking a non-partisan approach to legislation in Ohio, Kentucky & on the federal level by acting on data to implement educational opportunities & funding research to find science-based steps to reverse the pervasiveness of gun violence.

Impassioned after surviving a September 6, 2018, mass shooting in Cincinnati, Ohio, Whitney cofounded Whitney/Strong with her husband, Waller.

Under her leadership, Whitney/Strong has executed a # of responsible gun ownership solutions, including securing the 1st hearing on gun safety legislation in Frankfort in over a decade & with a bipartisan coalition of KY. State Senators.

Joining Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to announce the STRONG Ohio legislation, responding to the community call of “Do Something” after the Dayton Oregon District shooting in 2019.

Distributing over 12,000 gun locks across KY. & OH. thanks to a partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics & the support of the National Shooting Sports Fdtn.

Before her calling, Whitney was employed by Fifth Third Bank for 15 years as VP, Digital Lending Product Mgr.

In 2018, Whitney & her team launched the 1st omnichannel digital lending application in the industry.

A wife & a mother of 2, Whitney earned both undergraduate & graduate degrees at the Univ. of Louisville.

She enjoys traveling to new locations with her family, musical theatre, college basketball, & getting outdoors.

Whitney Austin is a survivor of the Fifth Third Bank shooting in Cincinnati, Ohio, that occurred on September 6, 2018.

In this tragic event, she was shot multiple times but miraculously survived. Following her recovery, Austin became a prominent advocate for gun violence prevention.

Here are critical aspects of Whitney Austin’s story and advocacy:

1. Surviving the Shooting: Whitney Austin was critically injured during the shooting at the Fifth Third Bank headquarters. Her survival after being shot multiple times was widely reported in the media and considered miraculous.
2. Advocacy for Gun Safety: Motivated by her experience, Austin became a vocal advocate for gun safety and violence prevention. She focuses on promoting responsible gun ownership and common-sense gun laws, aiming to reduce gun violence while respecting Second Amendment rights.
3. Whitney/Strong Organization: Following the shooting, Austin cofounded Whitney/Strong, an organization dedicated to reducing gun violence. The organization works on various initiatives, including advocating for gun safety legislation, raising awareness about gun violence, and promoting responsible gun ownership.
4. Public Speaking and Awareness: As part of her advocacy, Whitney Austin often shares her personal story to bring attention to the issue of gun violence. She engages in public speaking, media appearances, and collaboration with other organizations working towards similar goals.
5. Policy and Legislative Efforts: Whitney/Strong engages in efforts to influence policy and legislation related to gun safety. This includes working with lawmakers and supporting background check policies, red flag laws, and other measures intended to prevent gun violence.

Whitney Austin’s work in this area highlights the intersection of personal experience and public advocacy. Her story is one of resilience and a commitment to positively changing society, particularly in gun safety and violence prevention.