FOUNDERS

Lisa Hurka Covington is the Founder and President of SPEAK. Her younger sister, Laura was 28 when she shot herself on July 9, 1991. Ms. Hurka Covington is a public speaker, published writer, and activist fighting for the safety of our young people. She sat on the Public Policy Committee for NAMI Maryland (National Association for Mental Illness) and also on the board of MAHA (Marylanders Against Handgun Abuse), is the community organizer in Maryland for the national organization SPAN (Suicide Prevention Action Network), and is the Maryland spokesperson for suicide prevention. Ms. Hurka Covington has been on radio and television, and has been written up in magazines and newspapers. "Every negative situation has something positive that one day will evolve," she stresses. Her beautiful sister and others who completed suicide will never be forgotten - they were here for a reason!

Lee Tolzman, Vice President of SPEAK is a mother of 5 who lost her youngest son, John, to suicide when he shot himself April 22, 1985. John was only 12 years old.  After spending several years in the support group Seasons where she sometimes worked as a facilitator, she spent 3 years with First Step Youth Services speaking on Suicide Prevention. In 1999 she helped found SPEAK where she has continued speaking at schools, conferences and community organizations on the subject of youth suicide.

Betty Schmedes is the Treasurer of SPEAK. Her younger sister Mary died of a self inflicted gunshot wound on Thanksgiving Day in 1988. Betty has been a nurse for 38 years and is the mother of two grown sons and also has two beautiful grandchildren. Her sister's death led her to reevaluate her career. She is now a Youth Minister at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Pikesville and at St. Ursula's Church in Parkville. Betty had also attended Seasons and was involved as a facilitator when she met Lisa and the other women. It was at this time in 1999, that she decided to join them in their efforts to turn their grief around and make a difference with our youth by being their advocates, and developing the SPEAK organization. Betty believes that our loved ones spirits still live through our endeavors.

Marie McLaughlin is one of the original founders of SPEAK and a survivor of her son's suicide death.  She serves on the board of Speak and holds the office of Secretary for the organization.  Marie holds a B.S. in Nursing from Notre Dame of Maryland and a M.S. Health Science from Towson University.  She worked as a Psychiatric and Mental Health nurse for more than 25 years and has experience in Health Education.  Marie currently works part time as a clinical research nurse.  In addition to Speak and work, she fills her life with family, especially 2 beautiful granddaughters and gardening, hiking, traveling, and writing.  She is currently working on a book about the aftermath of her son's death.  Christopher took his life on January 2, 1992 by hanging himself.  He would have been 23 on March 23rd of that year.  

SPEAK's Board Members (click here)

The faces on our logo all died of suicide. They wanted the pain to end, not their life.  They entered a dark tunnel, unfortunately, not seeing the light at the end.

Laura Hurka is the second face on the SPEAK logo. She was the most beautiful and caring of six children in her family. Laura was a gymnast, artist, secretary for the Baltimore County Liquor Board, Shock Trauma, Baltimore County Fire Department, and the single mother of a son. Laura battled an eating disorder and depression for many years. She will be remembered for her beauty, not only on the outside, but also from within, a person who truly cared and loved people, and whose memory will live on.


The face in the center, is of Jeffrey Stratford the son of Ellie Stratford who was with us in the beginning and was immeasurably helpful in putting the quilts together. Jeffrey died by gunshot at the age of 23 in February 1997. Jeffrey's dad also died by suicide at the age of 45 in February 1987. 

Christopher McLaughlin, is the third of four sons.  He hung himself on January 2, 1992 in the basement of his brother's home where he was living at the time.  He served with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 1988 until his death.  In 1990, his Reserve Unit was activated and Christopher served on the front lines during the Persian Gulf War.  He is remembered for his sense of humor, warm smile, and love of volleyball.


The final face on the logo belongs to Betty Schmedes's younger sister Mary who was also a nurse. Her personality was fun-loving, cheerful, caring & humorous although she suffered with intermittent episodes of depression which was not diagnosed until later in her illness. This coupled with a severe chemical imbalance caused Mary to struggle with all aspects of her life, including her spirituality and identity but the effects of her illness finally overcame her fight to maintain her spirit for living.  She will always be remembered for her love & passion for helping others.

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