Heidi Yewman

Dumb Girl is a memoir about my escape from a cycle of abuse and my transformation into a fierce advocate for change. From surviving my own childhood trauma to leading the charge in the fight for gun control, my story is one of survival, strength, and hope.

Available August 19, 2025

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It is no surprise to me that Heidi Yewman has written a book with the power to transform that gripped me from page one. Dumb Girl is harrowing in its unflinching account of horrific sexual and physical abuse. But, through one extraordinary life, it shows how a cycle of intergenerational trauma can be broken, and a new path taken, one that can be full of light, hope, love and of service.
— Kris Brown, President of Brady: United Against Gun Violence
This book chronicles Heidi’s remarkable advocacy for responsible gun laws in America and her efforts to bring awareness to the survivors of gun violence. She is a survivor who knows exactly what it means to face trauma and to prevail. This heart-rending and powerfully evocative book is a woman’s triumph. Heidi never quits!
— Kathy Shorr, author of SHOT: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America
Yewman’s father repeatedly told her, “don’t be a dumb girl,” while her family abused her physically, sexually, and emotionally throughout her childhood. Offering profound and personal insights into violence, she became a leading advocate for gun safety. That she turned her profound smarts to this critical work is a gift to us all. Watch her film and read this book.
— Gretchen Cherington, author of Poetic License-A Memoir
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About Heidi

Heidi Yewman is a gun control advocate, author, and documentary filmmaker. She’s best known for her first book, Beyond the Bullet, and her international award-winning film, Behind the Bullet, both of which explore the impact of gun violence on individuals and communities. A graduate of Columbine High School, Heidi served on the board of Brady United Against Gun Violence. As a survivor of child sexual abuse and domestic violence, she’s driven by a commitment to reducing trauma and gun violence while promoting public safety through education and advocacy. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

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