August 29, 2023
As part of our ongoing Voices of Freedom Initiative, we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing a few of the conversations where at least one recording partner is of Hispanic heritage.
- Rosie Gomez and Katherine Chon: Katherine Chon interviews her colleague, Rosie Gomez, about their work together in the federal government when new laws required child welfare systems to change their response to human trafficking. They discuss what it was like to establish new federal programming to support child welfare systems to build their capacity to better screen and assist survivors of trafficking. Rosie shares lessons on leadership, the importance of prevention, and thinking creatively about bringing more allies into the work.
- Julissa Ponce and Katherine Chon : Julissa Ponce speaks with her colleague in anti-trafficking work, Katherine Chon, about her family's experience with labor exploitation, the impact of her parents' advocacy in her life, and the loss of her father. Julissa speaks about the misunderstandings regarding trafficking and shares her hopes for the future of anti-trafficking work.
- Jose Alfaro and Shannon Sigamoni : Jose Alfaro talks with his colleague Shannon Sigamoni about coming out to his family, getting kicked out of his home, and searching for acceptance. He discusses how he found resilience in himself while he was forced into sex trafficking and the importance of sharing his story to help other survivors and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Marissa Castellanos and Saul Cristobal Tellez Escobedo : Marissa Castellanos talks with her colleague and friend Saul Cristobal Tellez Escobedo about his upbringing, his achievements, and what he wants others to know about him. (Recorded in Spanish.)
- Jess Torres and Susie Baldwin : Jess Torres talks with their friend, colleague, and mentor, Dr. Susie Baldwin, about their work in anti-trafficking and the vision they have for how the work should evolve. Jess talks about some of their mentors, shares proud moments in their anti-trafficking work, and discusses gaps in anti-trafficking response.
- Maria Echaveste and Luis C. deBaca : Friends Luis C. de Baca and Maria Echaveste discuss their early careers and current work in labor law. They share some specific cases of labor abuse they worked on and reflect on the larger global factors that contribute to labor trafficking.
- Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia and Kathleen Sexsmith : Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia talks with his friend and colleague Kathleen Sexsmith about his work advocating for farmers' rights and immigrant rights related to human trafficking. He talks about how he came to the work, gaps he sees in advocacy and policy, and gives advice to his former self.
Add Your Voice to the Archive
Please consider adding your voice to the Voices of Freedom archive. Each conversation captured will help inform how we can better identify, assist, and protect survivors of human trafficking. Learn how to contribute.