Mona Gunn
Mona Taylor Gunn stands as a symbol of resilience, service, and leadership—qualities that define both her personal journey and her deep ties to Norfolk State University. A proud NSU alumna, Gunn built a distinguished career in public education as a Norfolk Public Schools teacher and principal, always rooted in her commitment to uplifting her community.
Gunn’s life was forever changed by the tragic loss of her son, Signalman Seaman Cherone Louis Gunn, one of the seventeen sailors killed in the USS Cole attack in October 2000. Rather than allowing grief to silence her, she transformed it into a lifelong mission of service, joining American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., an organization supporting mothers whose children died in military service. Her two decades of dedication to the organization carried her across the nation, connecting with families bound by sacrifice and shared purpose.
In 2019, Mona Gunn made history when she was elected the first Black President of American Gold Star Mothers, breaking a 91‑year precedent and elevating the visibility of Gold Star families nationwide. Her presidency emphasized unity, diversity, and healing, ensuring that the organization reflected “the faces of the fallen” while strengthening the bonds among mothers who have endured profound loss.
Mona Gunn’s legacy is one of courage, compassion, and purposeful leadership. As an NSU graduate and the first Black president of the nation’s oldest Gold Star organization, she embodies the spirit of perseverance and service that continues to inspire Spartans and Americans across the country.