Mars Mom
A mother’s love
.
became a mission.
Deborah Henry-Bennett carries Mars’ story forward—turning grief into road-safety awareness, advocacy, remembrance, and support for others.
Founder & CEO
Deborah Henry-Bennett
Deborah—known as Mars Mom—is the founder of Message From MARS. Long before the foundation began, she spent more than twenty years in social work, supporting teenagers in long-term foster care, helping families reconnect, and guiding young people through life-changing transitions.
On July 18, 2023, a call from DeKalb County authorities changed the shape of her life. One year she was celebrating her only child’s college graduation; the next she was planning his funeral. In the midst of that grief, Deborah made a promise: Mars would be remembered for how he lived, not only for how he died.
“He was my only child—the heartbeat of my existence.”
The ritual
“Ma, I made it home.”
Whenever Mars rode, his mother kissed the top of his helmet. They shared their pinkie handshake, and she watched until she could no longer see him. Then she waited for the message every motorcycle parent understands.
Those few words now live at the heart of the mission: help more riders make it home.
The promise
Remember the life. Carry the message. Protect the journey.
Message From MARS grew from a mother’s love and a social worker’s instinct to help.
What Mars Mom does
Advocacy grounded in lived experience.
Deborah’s role is as a mother, founder, speaker, and road-safety advocate. She brings a parent’s perspective and more than twenty years of social-work experience to conversations about safer roads, responsible choices, grief, and the lives behind every motorcycle.
Social work shaped the mission
More than twenty years of supporting young people and families taught Deborah how to listen without judgment, respond during difficult transitions, connect people with helpful resources, and build trust across a community. Those same skills guide the foundation’s trauma-aware approach to outreach, partnership, and support for families living with motorcycle-related loss.
Awareness and education
Through public speaking, awareness campaigns, educational materials, and community conversations, Deborah encourages riders and drivers to slow down, look again, stay alert, and share the road responsibly.
Partnership and community
She works alongside rider educators, motorcycle-safety professionals, community organizations, and families. Together, they connect people with trusted safety resources and create opportunities for remembrance, learning, and action.
Support after loss
Deborah wants families affected by motorcycle-related loss to feel seen and less alone. The foundation is also working toward grief-support circles guided by qualified grief professionals.
Love in action
Her grief has a direction.
Through Message From MARS—Motorcycle Moms Advocating for Road Safety—Deborah carries her son’s name into community events, advocacy programs, memorial gatherings, and Mars Day. She leads as Mars’ mother and the foundation’s Founder and CEO, using his story to remind every rider and driver that one decision can change a family forever.
Carry the message
Stand with Mars Mom.
Partner with the foundation, invite Deborah to speak, or help bring the message into your community.