Great Gloria Dougherty is proof positive that good things can come from the saddest of circumstances. Here is how we came to know and love Gloria.

The day after the unthinkable happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, on Valentine’s Day 2018, we sent an eblast that included a link to the story How Mental Health Professionals Speak with their Own Children About School Shootings. We heard from many Cardies who said simply, “Thanks, I needed this!” And then we received a far more impassioned email that read, “I am a long-time fan, and I buy Cardthartic wherever I can. In the past year I’ve sent your wonderful Worry Dolls card to at least a dozen friends suffering in these hard times. But your message today has left me feeling hollow.

“While I applaud helping parents/grandparents to offer comfort and solace, I wish you had also encouraged each to speak up, to call on Congress and local legislators to stop this madness. And, once the parents/grandparents have spoken up, they could share with the children, ‘This is what I did to try to stop this.’ We all need to speak out,” the Cardie said, and signed off with, “FYI, Sirhan Sirhan was a neighbor, walking by my front door on his way to kill Robert Kennedy. That was in 1968; I’ve been at this a long time. With kindest wishes, Gloria Dougherty.”

Wow. Admiring how forthright, committed and caring she was, we emailed Gloria right back. Our founder Jodee explained that “Cardthartic generally takes more of a supportive vs. activist role,” to which Gloria replied, “Thank you for your thoughtful and prompt response. While sad, I appreciate it. I know I am not alone, but feeling helpless just the same.”  Later came, “A few days have passed since our email exchange. Still feeling despondent, I went to the Post Office and purchased 150 postcards … I addressed them in batches of three for our members of Congress, and then sent a heartfelt message to neighbors and friends: “Would you like some postcards to send your own words to Congress re: gun control/safety?” Well, the cards have literally flown out of my hands — people are asking for 5-10 sets! Tomorrow I will go buy more. Our notes may not accomplish anything but, when I see that I am not alone, that gives me hope.”

A few days later Gloria reported, “My postcard project is now up to 250 sent. And counting! I think the participation shows that my friends and (I hope/pray) most people feel desperate to do something. The gun issue is just huge and feels overwhelming, but I hope there is a crack of light shining here. Kindest wishes and hopes for us all.”

Gloria’s passion and persistence stayed with Jodee, and it persuaded her that we just had to find a supportive way to support Gloria’s efforts, while staying true to our own mission of “Honoring Emotions.” So Jodee proposed creating a Please Listen postcard left blank on the back so people could express their own feelings to legislators, in their own words. Creative Director Valerie Sebring — who, with two young sons, approached it as a labor of love — had a design to show Gloria within an hour of hearing Jodee’s idea. We called Gloria to find her “writing another batch of 50!” When she heard our plan to give these FREE to anyone who would use them, she grew silent for a moment before saying, “Well, it’s a good thing you can’t see me right now, because I’m sobbing. We might REALLY do something here.”

Gloria’s campaign has grown to 35,000 Please Listen postcards sent to legislators by Cardies across the land. “My birthday is coming up,” Gloria shared with us last year, “and, as a gift, my husband Ron is buying me 1,000 more stamps! Thank you,” Gloria has said, again and again.  “We can never give up, and my team is growing!” ❤

If you or your group would like a quantity of the FREE Please Listen postcards shown below, simply add-to-cart and they’ll be on their way to you. Meanwhile, you’ll see Gloria has written her own card with her big heart and passion. Go do her proud!

Cards with Messages by Gloria

  • Details
  • She spread her branches wide condolence card.
    Details

Great Gloria Dougherty is proof positive that good things can come from the saddest of circumstances. Here is how we came to know and love Gloria.

The day after the unthinkable happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, on Valentine’s Day 2018, we sent an eblast that included a link to the story How Mental Health Professionals Speak with their Own Children About School Shootings. We heard from many Cardies who said simply, “Thanks, I needed this!” And then we received a far more impassioned email that read, “I am a long-time fan, and I buy Cardthartic wherever I can. In the past year I’ve sent your wonderful Worry Dolls card to at least a dozen friends suffering in these hard times. But your message today has left me feeling hollow.

“While I applaud helping parents/grandparents to offer comfort and solace, I wish you had also encouraged each to speak up, to call on Congress and local legislators to stop this madness. And, once the parents/grandparents have spoken up, they could share with the children, ‘This is what I did to try to stop this.’ We all need to speak out,” the Cardie said, and signed off with, “FYI, Sirhan Sirhan was a neighbor, walking by my front door on his way to kill Robert Kennedy. That was in 1968; I’ve been at this a long time. With kindest wishes, Gloria Dougherty.”

Wow. Admiring how forthright, committed and caring she was, we emailed Gloria right back. Our founder Jodee explained that “Cardthartic generally takes more of a supportive vs. activist role,” to which Gloria replied, “Thank you for your thoughtful and prompt response. While sad, I appreciate it. I know I am not alone, but feeling helpless just the same.”  Later came, “A few days have passed since our email exchange. Still feeling despondent, I went to the Post Office and purchased 150 postcards … I addressed them in batches of three for our members of Congress, and then sent a heartfelt message to neighbors and friends: “Would you like some postcards to send your own words to Congress re: gun control/safety?” Well, the cards have literally flown out of my hands — people are asking for 5-10 sets! Tomorrow I will go buy more. Our notes may not accomplish anything but, when I see that I am not alone, that gives me hope.”

A few days later Gloria reported, “My postcard project is now up to 250 sent. And counting! I think the participation shows that my friends and (I hope/pray) most people feel desperate to do something. The gun issue is just huge and feels overwhelming, but I hope there is a crack of light shining here. Kindest wishes and hopes for us all.”

Gloria’s passion and persistence stayed with Jodee, and it persuaded her that we just had to find a supportive way to support Gloria’s efforts, while staying true to our own mission of “Honoring Emotions.” So Jodee proposed creating a Please Listen postcard left blank on the back so people could express their own feelings to legislators, in their own words. Creative Director Valerie Sebring — who, with two young sons, approached it as a labor of love — had a design to show Gloria within an hour of hearing Jodee’s idea. We called Gloria to find her “writing another batch of 50!” When she heard our plan to give these FREE to anyone who would use them, she grew silent for a moment before saying, “Well, it’s a good thing you can’t see me right now, because I’m sobbing. We might REALLY do something here.”

Gloria’s campaign has grown to 35,000 Please Listen postcards sent to legislators by Cardies across the land. “My birthday is coming up,” Gloria shared with us last year, “and, as a gift, my husband Ron is buying me 1,000 more stamps! Thank you,” Gloria has said, again and again.  “We can never give up, and my team is growing!” ❤

If you or your group would like a quantity of the FREE Please Listen postcards shown below, simply add-to-cart and they’ll be on their way to you. Meanwhile, you’ll see Gloria has written her own card with her big heart and passion. Go do her proud!

Cards with Messages by Gloria

  • Details
  • She spread her branches wide condolence card.
    Details