For those of you who have followed our survivor stories page, you've probably noticed they are each very different. If there is one thing we've learned through this process it is that each of these dear women is unique; they simply beam with individuality.
It can be all too easy to let our tragedies (and the tragedies of others) identify us. Define us. We often look at the clients at End Slavery Tennessee and think of them as "Survivors." But we'd like to challenge that. We hope these stories will combat such labeling. Getting to know the woman behind the initial has done so for us, and we hope it will do the same for you.
Sure, you can say they are survivors. That's one commonality between them. But the more we get to know each woman, the more we know this is not their fundamental truth. It is part of their story, yes. It is not who they are. They are business women, musicians, artists, philosophers, writers, nurses, entrepreneurs. They are individuals. To quote Holocaust survivor Eva Kor: "Tell these girls they are not identified by their past. It's just a reminder of their strength and will to be free."
We urge you to claim this truth for them and for yourselves. May we all release those things that brand us. May we all see and become the individuals we are.
Here are three individuals for you to meet today. Enjoy them. They truly are one of a kind!
