Many guests attended President Barack Obama’s 2013 State of the Union. So, who are Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton and Nathaniel A Pendleton Sr.?
The couple’s daughter, 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, was shot and killed on January 29, 2013 — just days after performing with her school’s band at President Obama’s inaugural festivities.
First Lady Michelle Obama invited Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton and Nathaniel A Pendleton Sr. to sit in her box at the State of the Union, and President Obama mentioned them during remarks about stemming gun violence.
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The sophomore honor student and band majorette at King College Prep School was murdered while hanging out with friends in Harsh Park on Chicago’s South Side. Chicago police have arrested two suspects — Michael Ward, 18, and Kenneth Williams, 20 — for the shooting.
Hadiya was firmly against gang violence, even making a video four years prior to her death against it. “So many children out there are in gangs and it’s your job as students to say no to gangs and yes to a great future,” she said in the video.
Hadiya Pentleton’s funeral was attended by Michelle Obama, while President Obama plans to visit Chicago to continue to advocate for strict gun regulations.
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Who Are Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton & Nathaniel A Pendleton Sr.? was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
