Sheila White (abolitionist)

Sheila White
Born 1988 (age 28–29)
Residence The Bronx, New York City
Nationality American
Citizenship United States
Alma mater Bronx Community College
Occupation Abolitionist
Employer Girls Educational and Mentoring Services
Known for Activism against human trafficking

Sheila White (born 1988) is an African-American abolitionist and a former human trafficking victim[1] from The Bronx, New York City.[2]

White grew up in a dysfunctional home and, during her teen years, was placed in foster care,[3] where she was raped. She then underwent a failed suicide attempt and was transferred to a psychiatric hospital.[4] At the age of 15, she was living in a group home, where she was abused by a pimp who forced her into prostitution.[5] While a prostitute, White was battered, raped, and branded with irons.[6] In 2003, she was battered next to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey without anyone even asking her if she needed help.[7]

White eventually escaped from being trafficked and went on to work with Girls Educational and Mentoring Services in order to raise awareness on the issue in New York, and President Obama recognized her work by personally giving her an award at the Clinton Global Initiative.[7] She was interviewed in the documentary film Not My Life about her experiences while being trafficked, and said, "There is a point where you begin to feel numb. You really feel like you're not even a person."[8] In 2013, she spoke at the Disrupting Slavery Symposium, the first symposium of the Somaly Mam Foundation, saying that "we need a platform in which a survivor has the support and comfort needed to become a leader in the field."[9]

She has three children and attends Bronx Community College, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in social work.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Nancy Keefe Rhodes (2012). "Not My Life: Filmmaker Robert Bilheimer's Latest Meditation on Good and Evil" (PDF). Stone Canoe: 8. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Hope Drives Human Trafficking Survivor Lauded By Obama at CGI". The Daily Beast. September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Former Child Trafficking Victim Now Mentors Others". NPR. August 4, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  4. ↑ Peter Fedynsky (February 6, 2011). "Human Trafficking Isn't Just Across Borders". Voice of America. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Victim of Local Human Trafficking Shares Her Tale of Survival". NY1. February 2, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  6. ↑ Kristen Welker (September 25, 2012). "Obama calls to fight human trafficking". NBC News. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  7. 1 2 John Dankosky (April 17, 2013). Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery. Connecticut Public Radio. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  8. ↑ Victoria Aronson (March 21, 2013). "Documentary by Oscar nominee Robert Bilheimer explores child trafficking". The Brandeis Hoot. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Disrupting Slavery Symposium". Somaly Mam Foundation. June 27, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Sheila White: Girls Education & Mentoring Service (GEMS)". Worldwide Documentaries. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
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