Home » Womanspace Announces 2015 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Honoree

Womanspace Announces 2015 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Honoree

by Mary Galioto

A message from Womanspace: Womanspace is privileged to honor Human Rights Activist-Scholar, Minh Dang, for her efforts to stop Human Trafficking at the 21st annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award (BBS Award) on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton. Minh, is currently an independent consultant, trainer, and speaker on issues of human trafficking, leadership development and social justice. Minh is a staunch advocate for survivors of child abuse and human trafficking and is developing strategies to support education, training, and leadership development for survivors.

Each year, Womanspace honors a person of distinction who exemplifies the qualities of the event’s namesake, Barbara Boggs Sigmund. Barbara Boggs Sigmund, Mayor of Princeton Borough and the first female Freeholder in Mercer County, was the driving force in founding Womanspace in 1977. Barbara’s sister, journalist Cokie Roberts was the first BBS Award honoree and continues to be a strong supporter of our mission. Barbara’s leadership and her crusade against domestic violence have made a life-saving difference to the thousands of survivors served by Womanspace over the years. She was an inspiration with her “can do” spirit.

Most recently, Minh was the Executive Director for Don’t Sell Bodies (DSB), an anti human trafficking initiative founded by Jada Pinkett Smith. In May 2013, Minh was recognized at the White House as a Champion of Change for her efforts to end human trafficking. Minh is a ten-year veteran of the service-learning field and two-time alum of UC Berkeley. She received her B.A. in Sociology in 2006 and her Masters in Social Welfare in 2013. Prior to graduate school, Minh coordinated the Bonner Leaders AmeriCorps Program at UC Berkeley Public Service Center. She has served on the Board of Directors for Youth Engagement Advocacy Housing (YEAH) and The Norma J. Morris Center for Healing. Minh has also co-led weekly Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA) support groups for six years. The California Alumni Association honored Minh in March 2014 with the Mark Bingham Award for Excellence in achievement by a Young Alumna.

Minh is passionate about promoting the integration of individual and community healing. A true “love warrior,” as her friend calls her, Minh has traveled extensively telling her harrowing story of survival from child abuse and sexual slavery in the United States. Minh’s story first reached the public domain in 2010 when MSNBC aired the documentary Sex Slaves in America: Minh’s Story. The report aired just three years after Minh’s daring escape and since that time she has courageously addressed tens of thousands of concerned citizens to help prevent modern-day slavery in the United States.

Womanspace is grateful to Janssen Pharmaceutical Research & Development LLC for their generosity and leadership as the 2015 BBS Award presenting sponsor. A number of sponsorship, advertising, in-kind services and silent auction support opportunities are now available. All event proceeds will support the Womanspace mission to provide services for individuals and families impacted by domestic, sexual abuse and human trafficking.

We hope you will join us for an exciting evening honoring Minh and her efforts to stop human trafficking. Information on how to purchase tickets will soon be posted on the agency website, www.womanspace.org. Your support of this event ensures that much needed services are provided to women, children and men who suffer from interpersonal violence.

For more information on the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award including sponsorships, advertising, in-kind donations or general questions please contact Lauren Nazarian at (609) 394-0136 or [email protected].

 

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