SHAUN WALKER
Founder, Burning Butterfly Collective | Case analyst, Aetna

“We cannot keep talking about problems we are not willing to solve.”

Shaun Walker is known for her resilience—a trait she said she inherited from her grandparents. “My grandmother used to say, ‘I can live in Hell for a year if I know I’m getting out the next,’” she recalled. “And that stayed with me. It taught me that situations are temporary—but growth requires movement. If my story does anything, I want it to remind people of this: there is still a way forward.”

In 2025, while she and her children were sleeping, over 60 bullets were fired into their home, injuring Shaun and her youngest child, Jade, who was 10 at the time. From this senseless act of gun violence, Shaun sustained a gunshot wound in her arm, while Jade was shot in the head, sustaining multiple brain injuries.

Surviving this traumatic event and its aftermath has required immense determination and stamina from Shaun, whose day job is serving as an epidemiology case analyst for Aetna. She has spent most of her career in healthcare and public health, and in 2025, she earned a master’s in health science from The University of Texas–Tyler. Working as a case analyst is something Shaun “genuinely loves,” she said. “Being able to assist someone, guide them, and help them access what they need—it matters to me.”

Her advocacy efforts do not end at 5 p.m. Shaun is also the founder of Burning Butterfly, a public and mental health collective. The foundation of the organization is their annual empowerment event, which takes place each January. Though the event grows every year, the central activity is creating vision boards. This year’s event boasted 147 attendees and featured partnerships with local businesses, mental health professionals, and wellness providers.

Shaun said that her goal has been “to create something that didn’t already exist in our community—not to recreate what’s been done, but to build something that was needed. At the core of everything I do is one belief: we cannot keep talking about problems we are not willing to solve.”

Shaun enjoyed Christmas morning with her daughters, Jade and Zion. submitted photo

She said that, while the event has been exclusively for women in the past, they are expanding the experience to include a men’s space. “We recognize that growth, healing, and accountability are not one-sided,” she said. “That addition reinforced what I already knew: this isn’t just an event, it’s something that will continue to grow.”

Throughout the year, Burning Butterfly flexibly meets community needs as they arrive. One example is this month’s Clean Start Laundry Initiative, through which they will provide 50 families in need with laundry services. “Something as simple as washing clothes is often overlooked, but it directly impacts mental health, confidence, routine, and overall stability,” Shaun said. “In today’s economy, many families are forced to make difficult choices, and access to clean clothing should not be one of them.”

In the future, Shaun wants to spearhead preventative health initiatives, such as hosting community health screenings, where they would offer blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C checks. She said that she is seeking out connections with other local organizations. “My goal is to continue building partnerships that allow us to expand access, education, and support—because public health is not just theory, it’s how communities survive and thrive every day,” she said.

In addition to her work with Burning Butterfly, Shaun is a member of the NAACP Miller County Branch, the Junior League of Texarkana, the Texarkana Women’s Tea Party, and the Tough Kookie Foundation. She also runs a book club called Textually Entangled. She is a mother of four and grandmother of one.

“My children are my purpose,” she said. “I want them to always be proud to say that I am their mother.”

Hardship has not defined Shaun’s life—her resilience has. “There were moments where I truly didn’t think I was going to make it through,” she said. “Those are the chapters people don’t always say out loud—and those are the ones that shape you the most.”

FSLM ASKED SHAUN:

What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a bit of a geek—I love documentaries and history. I especially enjoy learning about the FDR era, and honestly, one day I could see myself being a history professor.

What are you currently reading?
Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davis. I’m a big reader—I probably go through close to 200 books a year—and I love a good thriller that keeps me up late at night.

What is your favorite community hangout?
One of my favorite local spots is Good Luxe. It’s owned by Dr. Madeline Smith and her husband, and it truly feels like a home away from home.

How Erica Smith Sees Shaun:

“Some people come into your life and leave a quiet impression. Others, like Shaun Walker, arrive with a light you can feel almost immediately—and that light stays with you. I met Shaun three years ago at a vision board party she created through her organization, Burning Butterfly Collective. She invited me to speak, but what stood out most wasn’t just the event—it was her. There was something genuine about her spirit, a warmth and openness that made people feel seen. That first meeting turned into a relationship rooted in purpose, service, and mutual respect. Over time, our connection deepened as she joined the Junior League of Texarkana and the Women of Texarkana Tea Party; both are nonprofit organizations that empower women to be volunteers in our community. Her commitment to community comes from a deeply personal place, shaped by her own experiences, her grandmother’s raising, and her desire to give back. What truly sets Shaun apart is her resilience. As a young, single mother and a survivor of gun violence, she has endured more than most. Just a year ago, she and her daughter were shot in their home by stray bullets—an unimaginable tragedy. And yet, she continues to move forward with strength, caring not only for her family but for others as well. Shaun inspires me. She reminds me to lead with love, to stay grounded in purpose, and, just as importantly, to give honor to God for his grace, mercy, and blessings.”

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Tribute to Women: Shaun Walker