From left to right: Stephen Sigmund, son of Womanspace founder Barbara Boggs Sigmund, Executive Director Pat Hart and event honoree Minh Dang.
On May 14, 2015 Womanspace honored human rights activist Minh Dang at the 21st annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Ceremony. The 21st purple rose award was presented to Dang for her courageous efforts to stop human trafficking. As a former victim of sex slavery herself, Dang strives to raise awareness about this topic and give voice to those who are still suffering in silence.
Dang was presented to the public by her good friend and author Abby Sher. Sher shared some details about what makes Minh such an extraordinary person and how her journey has made her the woman she is today.
Dang began her speech by singing “We Shall Overcome,” by Pete Seeger. She hopes to one day overcome her own fears, as well as ending the vicious cycle of sex slavery. Refusing to stand on the podium, Dang preferred being among the people. She didn’t want to be singled out as a “hero,” rather, a human being like everyone else.
Dang’s speech left everyone in the room feeling heavy hearted for the journey she was forced into. The stillness in the room that night reflected the shock everyone was in for lack of awareness that human trafficking is happening right here in the United States.
Along with raising awareness, the event also raised money for Womanspace to continue to provide care to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and support services to survivors of human trafficking. A net total of $140,000 was raised and over 320 guests attended.
This year’s Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Ceremony was made possible by the following sponsors: Janssen Pharmaceutical Research and Development LLC, Capital Health Hospital, Bloomberg, Verizon Wireless, Novo Nordisk, Macy’s, Robin Gosnell, Wells Fargo, New Jersey Manufacturers, Moxie Woman Magazine, Peeq Media, Packet Media Group, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Digital Dog Direct, Corporate Graphics, Hermitage Press and The Times of Trenton.
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