Lisa Hurka Covington is the Founder and Executive Director of SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Education Awareness for Kids). 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 (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill), sat on the board of MAHA (Marylanders Against Handgun Abuse), was the community organizer in Maryland for the national organization SPAN (Suicide Prevention Action Network), and the Maryland spokesperson for suicide prevention. She has been on radio, television, written up in magazines, and newspapers.

In 2001, Ms Hurka Covington spearheaded the effort and had emergency phones placed on The Chesapeake Bay and Francis Scott Key Bridges in Maryland, giving jumpers one last lifeline to grasp. Ms. Hurka Covington was honored in 2003, to be one of the 100 women chosen who raised their voices to make differences in small and large communities across the country which was put on by Charming Shoppers Inc., Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherines Stores. She was the liaison between Delegate Luiz Simmons who co-soponsored, HB 740 (Safe Schools Reporting Act of 2004) and Governor Robert Ehrlich's office, pushing for the first time bullying legislation in Maryland that was passed.

Ms. Hurka Covington became nationally known in April 2005 when featured in Family Circle Magazine, "For the Love of Laurie." The article discussed how her sister's death lead her to become one of the most outspoken advocates of suicide prevention. In 2005 she also received the prestigious Sister Joannes Clifford Award at her beloved, Mercy High School and in 2006, she was selected as one of 100 top women in Maryland for her accomplishments and in 2009, she received an honorable mention, The Welcome Back Award, sponsored by Eli Lilly, Celebrating Courage and Achievement in the Depression Community. Ms. Hurka Covington was recognized in Traditional Home Magazine, November 2009, for her commitment to her community, she was honored in March 2010, Baltimore County, Women Who Make a Difference, and was also acknowledged in Beverly Cobain and Jean Larch's book for suicide survivors, "Dying to Be Free."

"Every negative situation has something positive that one day will evolve," Ms. Hurka Covington stresses. Her beautiful sister and others who completed suicide will never be forgotten - they were here for a reason!

• 1995: Congressional Certificate of Merit, Outstanding Citizenship
• 2000: Governors Citation, Outstanding Commitment Demonstrated in Youth Suicide Prevention
• 2001: Governors Citation, Dedication to Marylands Youth Suicide Prevention Program
• 2003: Certificate of Appreciation, National Emergency Medical Association
• 2004: Certificate of Appreciation, Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network
• 2007: Baltimore County Police Department 24th Citizen Academy
• 2009: Acknowledged for her efforts in getting the Governor of Maryland to form a first time suicide prevention commission
• 2010: Appointed to the First Time Suicide Prevention Commission in Maryland
• 2011: Sole Sisters Film Project, National Audience Award "My Shoes SPEAK for Me"
• 2012: IMALIVE National Hopeline Network Community Crisis Center Hero Award