Davis House hosted their annual Button Ball at The Factory in Franklin Saturday night with special guest Elizabeth Smart. The sold-out event saw its largest crowd with 550 guests. New this year, Button Ball featured “Hope Patron” meet and greet with Elizabeth Smart for 50 guests ahead of the ball’s cocktail reception.
The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Smart was abducted on June 5, 2002, and her captors controlled her by threatening to kill her and her family if she tried to escape. Fortunately, the police safely returned Elizabeth to her family on March 12, 2003, after being held captive for 9 months.
Through this traumatic experience, Elizabeth has become an advocate for change. Elizabeth has recently released a new powerful and inspiring book about what it takes to overcome trauma, find the strength to move on, and reclaim one’s life.
Smart’s message throughout her talk during the evening was one of hope reminding the audience that every survivor can move forward after trauma if they have support, such as groups like the Davis House.
The mission of Davis House Child Advocacy Center is to combat child abuse by coordinating services to children and their families in crisis and providing community education focused on prevention and early intervention. They accomplish this by providing investigative and healing services in response to allegations of sexual and severe physical abuse in Williamson, Hickman, Lewis, and Perry counties, as well as training adults in the community on how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child abuse. All of their services are provided free of charge. Learn more about Davis House here.Â
We spoke to Elizabeth Smart and Director of Davis House Marcus Stamps, watch our video below.
