Mother Of Springfield Bullying Victim Speaks With Obama

04:18

March 10, 2011

Sacha Pfeiffer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yre-bA8zwqA

One person with intimate knowledge of the destructive consequences of bullying is Sirdeaner Walker.

Walker's 11-year-old son, Carl Walker-Hoover, committed suicide in 2009 after he was bullied at the Springfield charter school where he had been a sixth grader.

Sirdeaner Walker addresses an audience as Gov. Deval Patrick looks on during an anti-bullying bill signing ceremony at the State House in May 2010. (AP) — Sirdeaner Walker speaks as Gov. Deval Patrick looks on during an anti-bullying bill signing ceremony at the State House in May 2010. (AP)

With her son very much on her mind, Walker attended a White House conference Thursday that focused on bullying prevention — and she met beforehand with President and Mrs. Obama. The president mentioned Carl in his speech at the conference, saying, "No child should ever feel that alone."

Walker spoke with WBUR's All Things Considered host Sacha Pfeiffer about her conversation with the president and about the anti-bullying initiatives discussed at the conference.

Earlier:

Mass. Gov. Signs Sweeping Anti-Bullying Bill

This program aired on March 10, 2011.