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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

NIGHTLIGHT: SOMALY MAM FOUNDATION VOICES OF CHANGE LAUNCH PARTY AT THE BOX TUESDAY APRIL 6, 2010

Last night Whom You Know was pleased to meet Somaly Mam, Lauren Bush and many others who made the evening a resounding success!  A phenomenal person who demonstrates genuine compassion as she has saved over 6,000 lives, Somaly Mam truly connected with her audience.  Bill Livermore delivered a great speech accentuating how Somaly Mam combines compassion and passion and how financial empowerment can make all the difference.    He also emphasized how human trafficking is the second most prevalent crime worldwide only behind drugs.


Lauren Bush, designer of the socially and environmentally conscious line Lauren Pierce, was the epitome of gracious as she accepted her award from Somaly Mam.  Lauren and Somaly have launched a fabulous scarf which would make a lovely gift for Mother's Day, or any springtime occasion.  A necklace is available as well, we understand.

WHO: Party thrown in honor of The Somaly Mam Foundation and founder Somaly Mam. Lauren Bush was guest of honor. Host committee included Amanda Brooks, Anh Duong, Katie Ford, Kiara Kabukuru, Josh Lucas and Alexis Tobin.

Peachy Deegan was pleased to meet these outstanding guests:

Somaly Mam
Lauren Bush
Sharon Bush (loved your pearls!)
Norman Jean Roy
Alice Kandell
Alexis D. Tobin
Laura Lobdell (talented artist!)
Patrick McMullan
Jonathan Marder 
Isabelle of Somaly Mom


Guests in attendance included Somaly Mam, Lauren Bush, Amanda Brooks, Anh Duong, Alexis Tobin, Angela Chen, Ashley Bush, Sharon Bush, David Lauren, Dylan Lauren, Gregg Kelly, Henry and Ana Pincus, Kelly Brant, Lucy McIntyre, Paul Johnson Calderon, Samantha Mathis, Samantha Thompson, Shelly Simmons, Tina Livanos, Annie Dickerson, Leigh Parrinello and Norman Jean Roy.


WHAT: The party debuted a line of Somaly Mam empowerment scarves and pendants. Both carry the heart and hand symbol designed by Somaly Mam, a reminder that the world will only be moved when we bring together hearts and hands, merging compassion with action. Bill Livermore, the executive director of The Somaly Mam Foundation, gave a speech introducing Somaly Mam and Lauren Bush and thanking all who were involved with the evening.


“I see their commitment to helping others reflected in all of you here tonight. Together we honor the brave and resilient survivors who have worked so hard to build new and sustainable lives for themselves,” said Mr. Livermore.


Guests were treated to an eclectic variety show by The Box performers as well as a special dance performance using the new Somaly Mam scarves, choreographed by Jermaine Browne, who has worked with artists like Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake. Guests enjoyed champagne, eco-friendly cocktails courtesy of VeeV and desserts created by the Box’s executive chef Justin Hilbert. As guests left they were treated to a gift bag, generously donated by The Body Shop.


WHEN: Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Where: The Box, 186 Chrystie Street



ABOUT THE SOMALY MAM FOUNDATION


Somaly Mam, herself a survivor of human trafficking, has founded the largest shelters in Southeast Asia and has rescued more than 6,000 young women and girls over the past ten years. Universally recognized as a visionary for her courage, Somaly was honored as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2009. She is also the recipient of the first Roland Berger Human Dignity Award, the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, The World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC), Glamour Magazine's 2006 Woman of the Year Award, and has won accolades from the US Department of Homeland Security. As she wrote in her autobiography, TheRoad to Lost Innocence, “People ask me how I can bear to keep doing what I do. I’ll tell you. The evil that’s been done to me is what propels me on. Is there any other way to exorcise it?”


Founded in 2007 the Somaly Mam Foundation is dedicated to ending slavery around the world with a results-oriented, three-step approach: Survivor Services, Advocacy, and Awareness. The common thread woven through all of its programs is the collective voice of the survivors. The foundation models its vision after Somaly's inspiring life, ensuring that survivors take charge in reclaiming their lives while refusing to turn their backs on those who remain behind.


Human trafficking, a multi-billion dollar industry, is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. With over two million women and children sold into sexual slavery each year, it is a global crisis that must be stopped.

A fabulous job by Jonathan Marder!


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