Mom Turns Own Tragedy Into Career Of Advocacy

Lisa Spicknall, a domestic violence advocate for the Prince George's County Sherrif's Office, helps domestic violence victims through the court process. (By Linda Davidson -- The Washington Post)

"She told her story, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house," Jackson said. "She is a very, very, very strong woman."

Shortly after the forum, Jackson met with Norma J. Harley, the civilian manager of his office's domestic violence and community services unit. Harley had obtained a grant from the state, that would allow the department to hire three domestic violence advocates.

Harley knew that Spicknall had worked with crime victims. When Harley asked Jackson what he thought about hiring Spicknall, "I jumped at it," the sheriff said.

Spicknall and the other domestic violence advocates began working for the sheriff in March.

One recent morning, a middle-aged man ducked his head into Spicknall's office. He said his girlfriend was continuing to harass him and asked whether a protective order had to be served by police. Spicknall explained that such orders have to be served by police or sheriff's deputies. The man thanked her and left. (Spicknall's supervisor declined to allow a reporter to observe her interacting with clients.)

She quickly is becoming a familiar figure in the Upper Marlboro courthouse. Spicknall is friendly and approachable and flashes her high-wattage smile generously.

She is reclaiming her life. She has a boyfriend who works in Baltimore, and they have two boys, Zachary, 3, and Liam, 1.

Spicknall displays photos of the boys on her desk. Two of the photos are tucked into a larger photo of Destiny and Richie, together, smiling.

"I do this work for Zachary and Liam," she said. "And Destiny and Richie."