Honoring Yeardley Love: A Powerful Message on Preventing Relationship Abuse

The Republican Women of Baltimore County Caring for America Committee held its Spring Fundraiser on April 18, bringing together members and guests for an event centered on awareness, education, and community impact.

This year’s fundraiser spotlighted the One Love Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing relationship violence. The event featured a powerful and deeply personal presentation by guest speaker Sharon Love.

Sharon Love shared the story behind the foundation’s creation following the tragic loss of her daughter, Yeardley Love, who was killed in 2010 by an abusive ex-boyfriend. A senior at the University of Virginia and a member of its lacrosse team, Yeardley was just three weeks away from graduating at the time of her death.

In the face of unimaginable loss, the Love family established the One Love Foundation to honor Yeardley’s life and positive spirit. Their mission is to educate young people about the critical difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships and to raise awareness about the warning signs of abuse.

Through workshops, educational programs, and digital resources, the foundation focuses especially on individuals between the ages of 14 and 24—an age group particularly vulnerable to relationship violence. The goal is clear: equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to recognize unhealthy behaviors early and take action before situations escalate.

Today, the One Love Foundation has grown into a leading national voice in the movement to prevent relationship abuse. Its programs have reached millions of young people across the country, helping to foster safer, more informed communities.

The Spring Fundraiser served not only as a platform to support this important mission but also as a reminder of the impact education and awareness can have in saving lives. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the issue and a renewed commitment to promoting healthy relationships within their own communities.

For more information about the One Love Foundation and its programs, visit www.joinonelove.org.

Meet Sharon Love, see her presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw68FNDqbpc