Former Member of Congress Linda Smith in Yakima to Speak About Sex Trafficking

Smith is a leader in the global movement to end sex trafficking of women and children around the world and in the United States. She will bring her message to the Yakima Rotary Club on Thursday, Feb. 28.

In 1998, while still a member of the U.S. Congress, Smith traveled to Falkland Road in Mumbai, India; one of the worst brothel districts in the world. Her experiences there led her to to create Shared Hope International (SHI) as a way to provide restorative care, shelter, and education and jobs training to sex trafficking survivors.

Smith is an advocate for a strengthened response at the federal level, and has been instrumental in helping states design legislative frameworks to protect the innocence of America’s children. She has spoken out against trafficking of women and children in numerous Congressional hearings and in national and international forums; and participated in more than 300 media interviews.

Linda Smith served in the Washington State Legislature, in both the House and the Senate from 1983 to 1994.

She will speak to Rotarians at noon on Thursday in the Yakima Convention Center.

Visit the Shared Hope International website here.