JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville mother who survived domestic violence is now advancing to the semifinals of a national competition recognizing extraordinary moms — and she says it’s about more than just winning.
Gloria Branda, a single mother of two, has spent the past eight years rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive marriage. Her story caught the attention of the “Super Mom” competition, a national contest that supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and uses public voting to determine finalists.
Recommended Videos
For Branda, the recognition is secondary to the message she hopes to send.
“I never planned on being a single mom. I just planned on being married,” Branda said.
Leaving wasn’t easy
Branda’s path to freedom was not a straight line. Like many survivors, she faced the painful cycle of leaving and returning before she was finally able to walk away for good.
“They say it takes seven times to leave an abusive partner, and that’s what happened. It’s not anything that I thought I could do,” she said.
Branda’s ex-husband left her and her two children in 2018, marking a turning point that set her on a new path — one focused on healing and helping others.
Turning pain into purpose
Domestic violence continues to devastate families across Jacksonville. Duval County recorded 14 domestic violence homicides in 2025, according to JSO.
Rather than turning inward, Branda channeled her experience into action. While raising her own children as a single mother, she opened her home to others in need.
“They had some friends that we realized were homeless, and when we realized that, they were minors and they were friends of theirs, so I just, I had two extra kids for about a year, about three or four days a week, so that they wouldn’t be sleeping in a car,” Branda said.
Her message to anyone facing difficult circumstances is simple but powerful.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’re all human. We all need people to help us,” she said.
To vote for Gloria, click here.
For a list of resources for victims of domestic violence, visit this website.