A Jacksonville mother who survived domestic violence is now advancing to the semifinals of a national competition recognizing extraordinary moms — and she says it’s about more than just winning.
June 11, 2026 at 5:51 AM A Jacksonville mother who survived domestic violence is now advancing to the semifinals of a national competition recognizing extraordinary moms — and she says it's about more than just winning.
– A Jacksonville mother who survived domestic violence is now advancing to the semifinals of a national competition recognizing extraordinary moms — and she says it’s about more than just winning. Gloria Branda, a single mother of two, has spent the past eight years rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive marriage. Her story caught the attention of the “Super Mom” competition, a national contest that supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and uses public voting to determine finalists.
Leaving wasn’t easy Branda’s path to freedom was not a straight line. Like many survivors, she faced the painful cycle of leaving and returning before she was finally able to walk away for good.
“They say it takes seven times to leave an abusive partner, and that’s what happened. It’s not anything that I thought I could do,” she said. Branda’s ex-husband left her and her two children in 2018, marking a turning point that set her on a new path — one focused on healing and helping others. Domestic violence continues to devastate families across Jacksonville.
Duval County recorded 14 domestic violence homicides in 2025, according to JSO. Rather than turning inward, Branda channeled her experience into action. While raising her own children as a single mother, she opened her home to others in need.
“They had some friends that we realized were homeless, and when we realized that, they were minors and they were friends of theirs, so I just, I had two extra kids for about a year, about three or four days a week, so that they wouldn’t be sleeping in a car,” Branda said. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’re all human. We all need people to help us,” she said.
Andrea Snody joined the News4JAX team in February 2026 as a reporter on The Morning Show and a multimedia journalist, covering all things military here in Jacksonville. Clay County faces projected $44.5M budget deficitA pawfect match. Tanner Koziol's dog's name is Jax, and he gets drafted to play in JAX!
Jaguars mandatory minicamp opens doors for fans ahead of 2026 seasonNews4JAX reviews nearly 1,000 pages of records related to JEA subpoenaDCPS superintendent responds to Jacksonville city council decision to send 1-mill renewal to ballotsFamily requests community support for Mandarin High football player critically injured in shootingJaguars Antonio Johnson on veteran role in safety room and why he changed his jersey numberHeat & humidity building across Northeast Florida this weekend. How high will the temps soar?
Woman who helped search for missing 2-year-old on Northside says boy found in neighbor’s pool
Please follow us on Google to support us Women Empowerment Children’S Miracle Network Hospitals
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jacksonville forecast: Sunny skies and pool-perfect weather ahead, says Katie GarnerJacksonville is enjoying another sunny day with mild morning temperatures and clear skies, as rain is expected to hold off until the weekend. News4JAX meteorologist Katie Garner shares the details.
Read more »
Jacksonville braces for intense weekend heat: Heat index could near 108, spotty showers expectedJacksonville is facing a scorching weekend with heat index values expected to reach up to 108 degrees. Spotty showers and tropical updates are also in the forecast, according to News4JAX’s meteorologist Katie Garner.
Read more »
Jacksonville family requests community support for Mandarin High football player critically injured in shootingA Jacksonville family is asking for prayers and support after a Mandarin football player suffered a traumatic brain injury after a shooting in the Inwood Terrace neighborhood.
Read more »
Florida Man's Wrongful Arrest Suit Highlights Dangers of AI Facial Recognition in PolicingA Fort Myers resident wrongfully arrested nearly two years ago in the Middle District of Florida highlights the risks of police agencies relying on facial recognition technology. Robert Dillon, a 52-year-old man, was flagged by a facial recognition algorithm as the man who tried to lure or entice a child under 12 years old at a McDonald's in Jacksonville Beach. However, the algorithm was wrong. He is now suing the city of Jacksonville Beach as well as law enforcement officers from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO), and Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Read more »