Gabraielle Turner
Gabraielle Turner is a devoted mother and resilient caregiver whose life has been rooted in the Nashville area. A lifelong Tennessean, Gabraielle has built her world around her three children, Jayden, Aalysia, and Isabella, ensuring they are supported, loved, and given every opportunity to thrive.
Motherhood is at the heart of everything Gabraielle does. Her children each bring unique light into her life. Her son Jayden, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, inspires her daily with his optimism and resilience. Aalysia expresses herself through dance and creativity, bringing joy and energy into their home. And the youngest, Isabella, brings a bright and comforting presence to the family, always finding ways to lift the spirits of those around her. Through both triumphs and challenges, including the loss of Isabella’s father, Gabraielle has remained a steady and loving presence, guiding her children with strength and compassion.
Raising three children largely on her own comes with immense responsibility. Gabraielle works tirelessly to ensure that each child’s needs are met, often navigating challenges that go unseen by others: “It’s really hard raising three children and making sure all of their needs get met, but you just have to keep going.” Despite the demands, Gabraielle finds deep fulfillment in the love and support her children show her. “They motivate me to be the best that I can be,” she says.
Like many families across Tennessee, Gabraielle relies on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help provide for her children. SNAP has been essential in ensuring her family has access to consistent, nutritious meals, which is especially important for managing her son’s health. “It would be hard to keep his health up without the additional support,” she explains. The program also allows her to allocate limited resources toward other critical expenses, helping to create stability for her household.
However, in October 2025, Gabraielle’s family experienced a sudden and unexpected hardship when her monthly SNAP benefits were reduced in half due to a calculation error by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Despite no change in her household income, her benefits dropped significantly after DHS mistakenly counted one of her child’s Social Security payments twice. This error placed immediate strain on her ability to provide for her family.
Determined to resolve the issue, Gabraielle sought help after being referred by a friend to the Tennessee Justice Center. With advocacy and persistent communication, the error was identified and corrected by presenting an accurate account of her household’s income and expenses. Gabraielle’s benefits were restored to their proper amount, ensuring her family would be supported.
Reflecting on the experience, Gabraielle emphasizes how critical this assistance was for her family. Access to the correct SNAP benefits meant not having to choose between feeding her children and paying essential bills. Her story highlights how even small administrative errors can have serious consequences for families living on tight budgets.
Through it all, Gabraielle remains grounded in gratitude and determination. She continues to show up every day for her children, balancing the challenges of caregiving with unwavering love and strength. Whether she is managing her son’s medical needs or supporting her daughters’ passions, Gabraielle embodies resilience and dedication.
The Tennessee Justice Center is proud to honor Ms. Gabraielle Turner as a 2026 Mother of the Year, recognizing her commitment to her family and her perseverance in ensuring her children have the care and support they deserve.
Photo by KPL Photography
Published in 2026
