Penny Okamoto has been working to reduce gun violence since she joined the Million Mom March in 2000. She joined the Ceasefire Oregon Board of Directors in 2000 and has been the executive director since 2010. Her work with Ceasefire Oregon includes policy decision and research. She became involved in gun violence prevention in the aftermath of the Thurston High School shooting and the shooting death of Kayla Rolland in 2000.