Homicide

Baltimore prosecutor says personal loss transformed into passion for criminal justice reform

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby smiles as she is introduced before delivering the keynote address during the Women in NAACP Empowerment Forum and Brunch, Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Philadelphia. The event was a part of the NAACP's 106th Annual National Convention, running through July 15. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (The Associated Press)

Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby delivers the keynote address during the Women in NAACP Empowerment Forum and Brunch, Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Philadelphia. The event was a part of the NAACP's 106th Annual National Convention, running through July 15. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (The Associated Press)

Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby delivers the keynote address during the Women in NAACP Empowerment Forum and Brunch, Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Philadelphia. The event was a part of the NAACP's 106th Annual National Convention, running through July 15. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (The Associated Press)

When Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby decided to run for her current office, she reached out to community activists, politicians and business leaders — but almost all discouraged her from seeking election.

She told an audience at the NAACP convention in Philadelphia on Sunday that the skeptics said she was too inexperienced and unable to raise enough money, and they questioned her "audacity."

The line drew cheers from the largely female crowd of more than 500.

Mosby was thrust into the national spotlight when she moved swiftly to bring charges against six police officers following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.

She shared her own stories of loss, and said overcoming hardship is an important part of her story — and such stories should be shared to inspire others.