14th Annual From Slavery to Freedom Gala

May 10, 2012 at Skirball Cultural Center

Recap: The 14th Annual From Slavery to Freedom Gala was full of inspiration and promise for a brighter future for victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Thanks to the generous contributions from our sponsors and supporters, $180,000 was raised which will go directly into vital shelter and training programs for survivors.

Gala attendees had an opportunity to tour the Skirball Cultural Center exhibit, Women Hold Up Half the Sky – inspired by the best-selling book Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Longtime CAST supporters Amy Elaine Wakeland and Eric Garcetti served as Master of Ceremonies and helped us honor survivors and those who have shown extraordinary leadership in protecting and putting a much needed spotlight on this horrific human rights violation. Our honorees – courageous trafficking survivor Angela Guanzon, NCIS L.A. and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – inspired us with their stories and leadership.

A special thank you to the Skirball Cultural Center staff, the dozens of volunteers who helped create a night remember and our Honorary Host Committee members: Amy Elaine Wakeland and Eric Garcetti, David Arquette, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Congressman Howard Berman, Thomas J. Blumenthal, State Controller John Chiang, Congresswoman Judy Chu, City Controller Wendy Greuel, Senator Kevin de Leon, Liebe Geft with the Museum of Tolerance, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome E. Horton, Chair of California Board of Equalization, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Butch Shuman, Mira Sorvino, Senator Darrell Steinberg and Marisa Tomei.