Every minute you spend reading this, two more women have become widows. That’s nearly 3,000 new widows in the United States each day. Around the world, the numbers are even more staggering—50% of widows fall into poverty, and 75% lose the relationships they once depended on. Beyond the emotional devastation of losing a spouse, widows are often left to navigate financial instability, social isolation, and a lack of institutional support.
Despite the magnitude of this crisis, widows remain one of the most overlooked and underserved demographics. Social security systems fail many of them, leaving a third of widows ineligible due to age restrictions. Even churches—historically pillars of community support—rarely have dedicated resources for them. But one woman, Darlyn Turner, is on a mission to change that.
A Journey from Grief to Purpose
Darlyn Turner, the founder of the National Widows Association (NWA), understands the weight of widowhood firsthand. At 55, just one week before her birthday, she lost her husband. The pain was more than emotional—it was an upheaval of everything she knew.
“It felt like my heart, my identity, and my future had been ripped away all at once,” Turner recalls. “I was left emotionally broken, physically exhausted, and spiritually lost. The relationships I thought I could count on disappeared, and I found myself in a world of loneliness and uncertainty.”
As she struggled to rebuild her life, Turner realized the depth of the crisis. Widows across the country—across the world—were suffering in silence, with little to no support. Rather than let grief define her, she chose to turn her pain into a mission, launching The National Widows Association in 2019, just one year after her husband’s passing.
A Lifeline for Widows Across the Globe
Since its founding, the National Widows Association has become a beacon of hope for widows everywhere. Through monthly support groups, group coaching, medical supply donations, and home-building initiatives, NWA has helped thousands of women rebuild their lives.
One of the most impactful programs is the Widows Home Building Project, providing safe and stable housing for widows in need. Another initiative, Widows Care Packages, offers immediate relief to women in the early stages of grief, letting them know they are not alone.
And in 2025, NWA is set to launch its most ambitious project yet—the Involuntarily Single tour. This movement will feature a book filled with raw, inspiring stories of widows from all walks of life—everyone from famous public figures to everyday women. The goal? To start a global conversation about widowhood and the urgent need for resources, support, and systemic change.
How You Can Make a Difference
As she approaches her 62nd birthday, Darlyn Turner is calling on compassionate individuals to help support widows and reshape the narrative around widowhood. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Donate: Every dollar helps provide essential resources, care packages, and housing for widows in need.
- Stream “Getting Sixty Wit It”: Proceeds from this song, available on Apple Music and Spotify, go directly to NWA programs.
- Buy The Widow’s Might: This powerful book offers strength and encouragement to grieving widows. Available on Amazon.
- Sponsor a Widow’s Care Package: A small donation of $50 can bring comfort and hope to a newly widowed woman.
A Movement for Change
The National Widows Association is more than an organization—it’s a movement dedicated to empowering, advocating for, and uplifting widows everywhere. Since 2019, NWA has worked tirelessly to break the silence surrounding widowhood, offering both practical resources and emotional support.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit TheNWAOnline.com.
Darlyn Turner is proof that one person’s pain can become another person’s hope—and that no widow has to walk this journey alone.
