Overcoming Adversity: The Elizabeth Smart Story at Bryant University

On June 5th, 2002, news headlines around the country were filled with the name “Elizabeth Smart”. Who was she? She was a typical 14-year-old girl, who a few days ago had been nervously anticipating going into her first year of high school. She lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a suburban home with her mother, her father, and her younger sister. On that day, she was taken from her home at knifepoint, and would be held captive for the next 9 months of her life, only a few miles away from everything she had once known. She would endure countless trials that would test her will to live and to survive. Everyone wanted to know- What had happened to her? Who had taken her? Was she alive?

Seven months after her rescue, Elizabeth began to talk about her experience. Yet, she was never able to fully open up until nine years after her rescue. Smart has transformed from victim to advocate, traveling the country and working to educate, inspire and foster change. She has created a foundation to help prevent crimes against children and is a frequent public speaker.

Since then Elizabeth has also married her wonderful husband Matthew Gilmour, been featured on People magazine as a hero of today and has written her own memoir. Her book re-telling the incident in full, My Story, was published on October 7, 2013. It details her feelings, thoughts, and emotions throughout her time in captivity, from the first night of her fateful capture, to her life today as a strong woman who has moved past her experiences and has become an advocate for change.

You have the chance to hear her full story. Come hear her talk about her arduous journey from her captivity home in June 2002 until her finding in March of 2003. The Student’s Arts and Speaker’s Series will be presenting Elizabeth Smart on Tuesday, November 17th in the Chace MAC. Doors will open at 6:30 with a book signing to follow. There will also be a few minutes allotted for questions following the event. Tickets are FREE and open to the public beginning the 9th of November. Tickets are on a first come first serve basis, so pick up yours soon! Hear the inspiring story of Elizabeth Smart firsthand when she speaks at Bryant.

Please call 401-232-6160 to reserve your tickets, or visit the Information Center in the Fisher Student Center at Bryant University.