After surviving a brutal attack by an ex-boyfriend in the summer before her senior year, Madison Schemitz’s recovery journey — from life-threatening injuries to walking across the stage at her high school graduation — demonstrated her indomitable spirit and unwavering determination. However, her greatest triumph extends beyond personal recovery. Determined to prevent others from enduring similar pain, Madison has become a fierce advocate for education and awareness. She worked to bring the One Love Foundation to Northeast Florida, creating a critical platform for teaching local young couples about healthy relationships and recognizing the warning signs of abuse.
The organization was founded in memory of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia student who tragically lost her life to relationship violence in 2010, just weeks before her graduation. During the trial, her family learned there were warning signs of abuse in Yeardley’s relationship. Determined to prevent similar tragedies, they established One Love to educate young people about building healthy relationships and spot the signs of an unhealthy relationship before it becomes dangerous. Unhealthy relationship behaviors often go unrecognized because people don’t have the tools to identify them until they escalate to abuse. With 53,000 trained volunteers, educators, and 534 student leaders across the country, the organization is creating a ripple effect of awareness, equipping communities with the tools to prevent abuse and foster a culture of respect and understanding.
One Love utilizes a train-the-trainer model to empower young people to lead life-changing discussions with their peers in their communities. Local teens are encouraged to get involved in the movement by joining their youth leadership program and hosting on campus Team One Love Groups at their high schools. Local leaders are supported with training materials, 1:1 coaching and support, and earn volunteer service hours for the time they put in. By focusing on prevention and education, One Love ensures Yeardley’s legacy lives on by inspiring a new generation to love better, creating a future where everyone can experience the joy of safe and supportive relationships.
