Abduction survivor, ABC News commentator and author Elizabeth Smart will share her experiences in overcoming adversity during a Junior League event to be held at 7 p.m., Oct. 15 at the Community Arts Center.
Smart, who was kidnapped at age 14 and held hostage for nine months, has become an advocate on behalf of children who have experienced violence. She has supported the AMBER Alert system and signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act and contributed to the U.S. Department of Justice book, "You're Not Alone," to support other young adults who have encountered hardships.
Smart's message of looking forward and using past experiences to help others is something everyone can learn from, according to Courtney Boring, Junior League vice president for income development.
"The Junior League's mission is 'women building a better community.' We really felt that she did fit our mission," Boring said.
Smart, now 23, has continued to use her experience to try to help other victims. This year she and her family founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation - its mission, according to the website is "to prevent and stop predatory crimes." In addition, she joined ABC News as a commentator this month focusing on missing persons and child abduction cases.
Boring said she believes everyone can learn from Smart's story. "I think what they're going to really hear is her testimony - how she overcame the abduction, and then just really used that as empowerment to become a better person and just moved past it. She really didn't let the abductor win," she said.
According to the Premiere Speakers Bureau, "In this keynote Elizabeth Smart shares insight to overcoming in difficult ... traumatic situations. This keynote is filled with hope and encouragement for those who are struggling."
Boring said the Junior League hopes to see a wide variety of community members attend the event, including students and families.
"She's going to apply overcoming adversity to everybody's life, not just to her own situation," Boring said, adding, "We really feel that it's going to be a good mother-daughter event."
Tickets for the event will be available Aug. 12 at the Community Arts Center; student tickets will be available at half-price.
More information can be found at the Junior League of Williamsport's Facebook page or the Community Arts Center website, www.caclive.com.
