Lightner, Candy (1946–)

views updated

Lightner, Candy (1946–)

American activist. Born Candy Doddridge, May 30, 1946, in Pasadena, CA; dau. of Dykes C. Doddridge (career serviceman) and Katherine (Karrib) Doddridge (civilian employee of US Air Force); attended American River College, 1966; m. Steve Lightner (US Air Force officer, div.); children: (twins) Cari Lightner (died 1980) and Serena Lightner; Travis Lightner.

Formed Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) when her 13-year-old daughter Cari died after being hit by a car operated by a drunk driver who had been previously arrested 3 times and convicted twice for driving while intoxicated, yet retained a valid license (1980); after stricter laws against drunk-driving crimes passed in 27 states (1982), began to focus attention on alcohol-related accidents involving youth and founded Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD).

See also NBC-TV movie Mothers Against Drunk Drivers: The Candy Lightner Story, starring Mariette Hartley (1983); and Women in World History.