Womanspace To Honor Elizabeth Smart For Abduction Prevention Work

PRINCETON, NJ — Elizabeth Smart, Child Abduction Prevention Advocate and Victim of Childhood Abduction was named the 2020 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Awards Honoree by Womanspace in Mercer County.

Smart will be honored on May 20 at the Princeton Marriott from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

"I am so honored to be receiving the 2020 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award that celebrates people who inspire us to greatness," Smart said. "I look forward to speaking about healing and moving past traumatic events as Womanspace clients are in the process of doing on a daily basis. Healing is a long journey and one that can reap great rewards."

Smart was abducted on June 5, 2002, and her captors controlled her by threatening to kill her and her family if she tried to escape. On March 12, 2003 police were able to safely return Smart back to her family after being held a prisoner for nine months.

Since her abduction Smart has become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs, and national legislation. The Founder of the "Elizabeth Smart Foundation", Smart has also helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.

She has shared her story in the New York Times best-selling book, "My Story." In addition, she and other abduction survivors worked with the Department of Justice to create a survivor’s guide, entitled, "You're Not Alone: The Journey from Abduction to Empowerment." This guide is meant to encourage children who have gone through similar experiences not to give up but to know that there is hope for a rewarding life.

"Not only has Elizabeth been through a horrifying trauma but she using her traumatic experience to help other children and parents stay safe and learn how to focus on healing and move on to a rewarding life. This is strength personified in my eyes," said Lauren Nazarian, Director of Development of Womanspace.

Tickets to this event, which benefits Womanspace and their clients, will be available at womanspace.org. In addition, there are several sponsorship and advertising opportunities for individuals and organizations. Seating is limited, so advanced registration is highly encouraged.

Womanspace is a non-profit organization serving the greater Mercer County area and the state of New Jersey by providing a comprehensive array of emergency and follow-up services to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.

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