Born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Dennis earned a degree in education from the University of Wyoming before marrying Judy in 1973 and settling in Casper, Wyoming, to raise their family. The second night of the Democratic National Convention had some major appearances, including the parents of late Matthew Shepard, Judy and Dennis Shepard, representing their home state of Wyoming. Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew,” exploring the family’s journey through the prosecution of Matthew’s assailants, the ensuing media coverage, and their continuing work to advance civil rights. The Shepards represented their home state of … Matthew’s death moved many thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in his memory. Judy Shepard is the founding president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors, and served as its first executive director as well, from 1999 to 2009. In her continuing role as board president, she travels across the nation and the world inspiring individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. An oil industry safety specialist, Dennis worked for more than 16 years in safety operations for Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, before retiring from that position in 2009. She and her husband, Dennis, are co-founders of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, and advocates for LGBT rights. The foundation they formed in his honor has become a leading advocate for LGBTQ rights. Turning tragedy into a crusade for justice, their leading voice in the LGBTQ rights movement has since established The Matthew Shepard … Judy Shepard is the founding president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors, and served as its first executive director as well, from 1999 to 2009. He co-founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation and served on its board of directors since the organization’s inception, currently in an emeritus capacity. Judy and Dennis Shepard Parents of Matthew Shepard. He and Judy continue to live and work in Casper. In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Judy and Dennis Shepard … The mother and father of hate crime victim Matthew Shepard gave their full blessing to Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night (August 18). Dennis and Judy also formed the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which runs education, outreach and advocacy programs. He speaks to audiences around the country and worldwide, particularly to victims’ advocacy organizations and law enforcement audiences about his experiences and the importance of equal treatment of LGBT crime victims and their loved ones. Judy and Dennis Shepard of Casper, pictured Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, are Matthew Shepard's parents. In 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their son Matthew to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate that shocked and captivated the nation. Turning tragedy into a crusade for justice, their leading voice in the LGBTQ rights movement has since established The Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on her son’s legacy. Dennis and Judy Shepard joined the DNC's roll call Tuesday, thanking Joe Biden for his part in passing a federal hate crime law named in part for their son.
Judy Shepard (née Peck; born 1952) is the mother of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at University of Wyoming who was murdered in October 1998 in what became one of the most high-profiled cases highlighting hate-crimes against LGBT people. Later, Judy and Dennis spearheaded The Matthew Shepard Act, which expanded the federal hate-crime law to include crimes based on gender and sexual orientation.Judy and Dennis will share an intimate look at how their life and the entire fight for equal rights changed when their son was killed.
Originally trained as a teacher, Mrs. Shepard holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming where she later pursued some post-graduate studies. Judy and Dennis Shepard, the parents of the late Matthew Shepard, made an appearance on the second night of the Democratic National Convention. She and Dennis continue to make their home in Casper, Wyoming.Dennis is the father of Matthew Shepard and has been an advocate for parents’ unconditional love for their LGBT children both during Matt’s life and, very publicly, since the hate-motivated murder in Laramie, Wyoming, which took Matt’s life at age 21. In 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their son Matthew to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate that shocked and captivated the nation.