Lisa Williams

Ms. Lisa Williams is an international heroine in her innovative efforts to counter child sex trafficking.

It was not enough for Ms. Williams to find her own freedom from a life of trauma and sexual exploitation. She answered the call to go back and free countless others like herself. It has been said as it pertains to child sex trafficking, Ms. Williams is a latter day Harriet Tubman.

Seeing the very real need to stop child sex trafficking, in 1999 Ms. Williams began her initiative by founding Circle of Friends; in 2005 Living Water for Women; 2007 Living Water for Girls and the Living Water Learning Resource Center – each a non-profit organization signaling a beacon of hope. She knew that the war she was fighting required more than simply raising funds and addressing surface issues. Williams dug in and used every resource she had to build programs that would address systemic issues and ultimately change lives. Through these intensive programs, Lisa developed what the Federal Bureau of Investigation calls “one of the most comprehensive, rehabilitative programs for child victims of sex trafficking in the country.”

The foundation of Williams’ strategy is to cultivate safe refuge, therapeutic services, training and career opportunities as well as to provide access to quality education for survivors of trafficking. Williams has seen all ages come through her program – from little girls to young women. Those who choose to utilize the mechanisms put in place are empowered – able to heal, to dream, to have a restored sense of personal security and safety in their persons and achieve self-sufficiency and financial independence.

This journey has taken Ms. Williams places she never imagined. Among them, in 2013 Williams spoke at the United Nations 57th Commission on the Status of Women on the topic: The Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. Invited back March 13, 2015, Lisa spoke at the United Nations 59th Commission on the Status of Women on the topic: Unfinished Business from the Beijing Platform for Action. Lisa has also spoken at the White House on the topic: Eradicating Modern Day Slavery.

2015 has already been a momentous year for Williams and survivors of trafficking. On May 5, 2015, Lisa witnessed Georgia Governor Nathan Deal sign the historic Safe Harbor/Rachel’s Law Act into law. The act is named for Rachel, a survivor and graduate of Living Water Learning Resource Center. Lisa mentored and equipped Rachel as she stepped onto the world stage to become a powerful, authentic voice against the violation of human trafficking.

Through this process, Williams established and galvanized the I AM Rachel movement; a collaborative of lawmakers, colleges, survivor voices, houses of worship, community leaders, volunteers and Rachel herself. These united individuals fought for the passage of this bill, which protects children and provides services for survivors of child sex trafficking. I AM Rachel raised public awareness and action to support the landmark bill and ultimately succeed in seeing it passed by a landslide vote.

On July 21, 2015, CNN released its Special Report Children for Sale: The Fight to End Human Trafficking, which featured Lisa and several survivors whose lives she has helped transform. Acclaimed actor and activist, Jada Pinkett Smith hosted the CNN Special Report.

Lisa has served our country as a former United States commissioned military officer, she is an Auburn Seminary Sojourner Truth Leadership Circle Fellow-Graduate, a Leadership Atlanta Alumni and the author of the best-selling book, Beautiful Layers: Stories from Those Who Survived the Life of Prostitution &
Child Sexual Exploitation.

Lisa is wife to her best friend of 28 years and mother of biological and adopted children. She lives on a small farm in Georgia and thanks God continuously for “this good life,” as she works to pursue a better quality of life for those who call our nation home.

A few past honors and awards include:
• 2014 Presidential Service Award
• 2015 YWCA Woman of Achievement Award
• Porsche Driving Force Award
• Ford Motor Company Ford Freedom Unsung Award
• 2010 L’Oreal Paris – Woman of Worth Honoree
• Two (2) Proclamation from the City of Atlanta
• Community Service Award – 11 Alive
• Variety Power of Women Honor, Hollywood, CA
• Essence magazine profile
• Profiled online on CNN and the BBC
###