Elizabeth Smart
American Activist for Children, Author


On June 5, 2002, fourteen-year old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic, Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told that she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.

 

In the years after her rescue, Elizabeth Smart has transformed from victim to advocate, traveling the country and working to educate, inspire, and foster change. She created the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to help prevent crimes against children and serves as the organization’s president.

 

Smart is the New York Times bestselling author of My Story. Her latest book, Where There’s Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up, will be released in March 2018.

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Hardcover
Where There's HopeHealing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up
St. Martin’s Press

lizabeth Smart follows up her #1 New York Times with a powerful and inspiring book about what it takes to overcome trauma, find the strength to move on, and reclaim one’s life.
Paperback
St. Martin’s Griffin

For the first time, more than 15 years after her abduction from her Salt Lake City bedroom, Elizabeth Smart reveals how she survived and the secret to forging a new life in the wake of a brutal crime.
Overcoming Adversity - The Elizabeth Smart Story In this captivating message, Elizabeth shares her incredible story of perseverance in the face of unimaginable adversity. Her speech not only tells her personal story, but also discusses topics such as overcoming extreme adversity, the importance and process of recovery, and not allowing your past to dictate your life's future. Elizabeth knows that there is nothing more important than having hope in a difficult situation. Having lived through an extreme circumstance as a young teenager, Elizabeth gives great insights and hope to all.
Crimes Against Children: The Real Numbers
Elizabeth Smart speaks about the real impact of crimes upon children. She uses statistics about child pornography, child sexual assault and rape, and child neglect to show the importance of funding law enforcement offices.
Teaching Children to Protect Themselves
Elizabeth Smart speaks about the importance of self defense classes and radKIDS, a program based on teaching kids to react instinctively and get away from captors.
It is Not My Fault
Elizabeth speaks about forgiving herself and realizing that her nine month abduction was not her fault.

Read The New York Times‘ review of Elizabeth Smart’s new book, Where There’s Hope, and other stories of trauma

Discover more about the Elizabeth Smart Foundation here.

Look back into the frantic search for Elizabeth Smart in 2002.

Learn more about Elizabeth Smart here.

Watch the trailer for her upcoming Lifetime Movie,  I Am Elizabeth Smart

Follow the Elizabeth Smart Foundation on Twitter and Instagram

“We all feel that the event was an unmatched success! Elizabeth was delightful to be around. She was kind to our donors and gracious to those who wished to talk with her. Her speech as right on target – very inspirational! Not a dry eye in the house. We loved working with her and would recommend her to anyone looking for in inspirational message.”
- Jennifer Pyron, Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation
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