Shivangi Sinha
Netflix’s ‘Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror’ delves into the domestic terrorist event of April 19, 1995, through the personal stories of those who experienced it firsthand. One of the most compelling testimonies comes from Amy Downs, who was working at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City when the bomb went off. She was buried under the rubble for several agonizing hours before rescuers were able to pull her out. She shared how surviving the attack became a turning point in her life and was one that completely reshaped her outlook, goals, and personal journey.
Amy Downs Decided to Transform Her Life After Having a Near-Death Experience
In 1995, Amy Downs (then known as Amy Petty) worked as a teller at the Credit Union inside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She has shared that this was a difficult time in her life, marked by struggles with body image and a lack of confidence. She had not been able to complete her college education, but the friends she had made at the office were her support system. On the morning of April 19, 1995, everything seemed like a typical day. She was chatting with coworkers at the start of her workday when she suddenly sat down in her chair and answered the phone. The moment she picked up, a loud explosion went off, which left her unable to see, hear, or feel anything.
Amy recalled that she was trapped under the heavy weight of rubble, not even fully understanding what had happened. Hours went by as she lay buried, waiting and hoping for help. Eventually, emergency responders began rescuing people and heard her faint sounds. They asked her to keep making noise so they could locate her and then asked what color shirt she was wearing. She couldn’t remember at first, but she guessed green when they urged her to try. Soon after, she felt a hand brush against hers, but just then, panic erupted. Amy could hear the fear in their voices as they warned of a possible second bomb, and she could sense them fleeing the scene.
Realizing she was being left behind, Amy feared that these could be her final moments and asked someone to tell her family she loved them. Hours later, help finally returned, and she was pulled out from beneath the rubble. She was one of the last survivors to be rescued from the building. Amy had sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital, but she said the biggest change wasn’t physical but internal. She shared that she was overwhelmed with regret for the life she had lived in the moments when she believed she was going to die. That near-death experience sparked a deep desire within her to transform her life, and from that moment on, she committed to making meaningful changes for herself.
The Harrowing Attack Left Amy Downs With Many Depressing Memories
Amy Downs remembered that eight days after the bombing, the remains of one of her closest friends from work were recovered from the rubble. In total, she lost 18 colleagues and they were people she saw every day. As she lay in her hospital bed, she recalled watching the people of Oklahoma City gather for a candlelight vigil. That moment filled her with a sense of hope and comfort amid her grief. The road to healing was long; she struggled with PTSD for years, and the haunting memories of that day stayed with her. Yet, something within her had shifted. Amy chose to turn her life around and begin anew, driven by the desire to live with purpose truly.
Amy Downs Has Taken Up the Role of a Motivational Speaker Today
After surviving the Oklahoma City bombing, Amy Downs felt a deep sense of purpose to change her life and truly live with intention. One of the first major steps she took was going back to school. Determined to create a new path, she re-enrolled in college and in 2006, she joined Southern Nazarene University, where she pursued her Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management. Her passion for growth and leadership didn’t stop there. Over the years, she sought to sharpen her skills further and broaden her understanding of business by completing executive education programs at some of the most prestigious institutions in the country. She studied at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
By 2017, Amy had already risen through the ranks at the Federal Employees Credit Union, which was now Allegiance Credit Union. In December of that year, when the position of CEO became vacant, the organization was going through a challenging period. She felt a calling to step up and help lead the credit union into a new era. When she was selected as CEO, it was a proud and emotional moment for her. She served as President and CEO of Allegiance Credit Union until February 2025 and guided the organization through the years. She currently works as a motivational speaker and strategic facilitator. In 2020, she also published her memoir ‘Hope Is a Verb: My Journey of Impossible Transformation.’ She is a role model for many and is often invited to prestigious events like the Lawton Business Women Luncheon to share her story and inspire others.
Amy Downs is a True Physical Fitness Enthusiast
Along with her professional achievements, Amy Downs also made remarkable strides in her personal life. In a 2017 interview, she revealed that at the time of the Oklahoma City bombing, she had been in an unhappy marriage and had found comfort in food. By 2008, she made the life-changing decision to undergo gastric sleeve surgery to help her meet her health goals. In the years following the procedure, she lost 75 pounds and began cycling outdoors, a hobby that reignited her love for movement and wellness. She volunteered to participate in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon’s Run to Remember, an experience that deeply inspired her. Motivated by this new sense of purpose, she completed the Ironman Triathlon series, which was an extraordinary feat and one of the proudest accomplishments of her life. By 2017, she had lost a total of 200 pounds.
In early 2021, Amy underwent a double knee replacement surgery. But true to her resilient spirit, just four months later, in April 2021, she participated in Cycle Zydeco, a four-day cycling event that winds through the scenic backroads and vibrant towns of South Louisiana. Now 58 years old, Amy remains as active and passionate as ever. She continues to cycle, hike, and surround herself with a tight-knit group of friends who share her zest for adventure. In October 2024, Amy said she wanted to walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route in Spain. During the 2024 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, she operated a water station and cheered on her friends, offering the same encouragement and spirit that has defined her life since surviving the 1995 bombing.
Amy Downs and Her Husband Are Comfortably Settled in Life
Amy Downs has built a peaceful and fulfilling life with her husband, Terry Head, near the scenic mountains of Medicine Park, Oklahoma. They often go on walks together and enjoy the scenic view of their hometown. In her front yard, she planted a sapling from the iconic American elm known as the Survivor Tree, which is one of the few trees that withstood the force of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Around it, she’s cultivated a beautiful garden filled with daffodils and a variety of vibrant flowers.
Amy’s love for gardening earned her the Yard of the Month award in August 2024, a small but meaningful recognition of the joy she brings to her home and community. She remains especially close to her son, Austin Petty, who continues to be a big part of her life. He makes sure to spend holidays and special occasions with her, and the two have even run marathons together. Their relationship is a testament to the deep love and connection that has helped Amy move forward while honoring the past.
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