Carie Lemack, the co-founder of Families of September 11, alongside other September 11 family members, had a unique perspective working with Congress, the White House, and the media after her mother was killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. This article outlines some of those experiences and looks at the organization, execution, and effectiveness of the 9/11 families in changing their government (passage of the 9/11 Commission into law), enacting new counterterrorism policies, and interacting with the press. The author shares her perspective on the post-9/11 legislative events that have taken place between 2001 and 2004 and offers lessons she learned in the process. 20 notes