MSP’s 2010 Spring Benefit “Near and Far…Voices for Change”
My Sisters’ Place will hold its annual Spring Benefit on March 11th, 2010, at the Ritz Carlton Westchester in White Plains, NY. This year, MSP’s Spring Benefit “Near and Far…Voice’s For Change” will honor the anti-trafficking work of Somaly Mam, a human trafficking survivor and tireless activist and advocate.
Born to a tribal minority family in the Mondulkiri province ofCambodia, Somaly Mam began life in extreme poverty. With limited options as a member of a severely marginalized ethnic group, and living in unimaginable despair, her family often resorted to desperate means to survive. This confluence of dire circumstances led to the unspeakable horrors that would mark Somaly’s early years. Somaly was sold into sexual slavery by a man who posed as her grandfather.
Somaly heroically escaped her captors and set about building a newlife for herself. She vowed never to forget those left behind and hassince dedicated her life to saving victims and empowering survivors.
Somaly has justifiably garnered world-wide respect and is now a renowned leader at the forefront of theanti-trafficking struggle. Universally recognized as a visionary for her courage, dignity, ingenuity, and resilience, Somaly was honored asone of Time Magazine‘s 100 Most Influential People of 2009 and wasrecently featured as a CNN Hero.
We are thrilled to be able to honor Somaly Mam at this year’s event, and to incorporate her powerful voice into our own work to provide hope and achieve justice for victims and survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
