Judy Williams, who co-founded the support group Mothers of Murdered Offspring (MOMO), is a finalist for the Citizen Service Above Self Honors, one of the nation’s most coveted civilian awards.

Williams, whose son, David Howard, is a member of Charlotte City Council, is one of 20 finalists selected by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, which administers the annual award. Three winners will be announced on March 25 -- National Medal of Honor Day.

“To be considered for this rare civilian honor, nominees must have made a difference in the lives of others through a singular act of extraordinary heroism, or through their continued commitment to putting others before themselves,” the organization’s Website says.

Williams, 58, co-founded MOMO in 1993, the same year her 20-year-old god-daughter, Shawna Hawk, was slain by serial killer Henry Lewis Wallace.

In the years since, Wallace has become a fixture at sunset vigils in Charlotte held to remember young victims of violence.

“People need this,” she told the Charlotte Observer in a recent interview. “What we do is like an outdoor support meeting. We help people to grieve.”

Williams told the newspaper that she had held more than 1,000 candlelight ceremonies over the years.

Howard told the Observer that he had nominated his mother.

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