Evelyn Chumbow
In this episode, host Robin Hassler Thompson imagines freedom with Evelyn Chumbow, a survivor of child labor trafficking turned anti-trafficking activist and public speaker who has focused her life’s work on ending modern-day slavery, a crime impacting some 40 million victims globally.
Ms. Chumbow was brought to the United States from Cameroon at the age of 9 and was forced to cook, clean, and care for her trafficker’s children. She was never paid for her work, and any hope that she might escape was undermined by the constant beatings she received from her trafficker.
After years of captivity she finally escaped, and her trafficker was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Today, Ms. Chumbow works tirelessly to raise awareness and advocate for other survivors. She strongly believes in the need for professional development for survivors and dedicates her time volunteering at the grassroots level to guide communities on how to create employment opportunities for trafficking survivors.
Among her many honors, Ms. Chumbow is the recipient of the 2021 Abolitionist Award from the Nomi Network, the 2018 African Heroine Award from the Ohio University African Student Union, and the 2015 Peace Seeking Award from the Presbyterian National Church. In 2021, Ms. Chumbow was selected to be included in the launch of Voices of Freedom, an initiative created by Story Corps and the Administration for Children and Families, in honor of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Ms. Chumbow has serves as an advisor to human trafficking NGOs. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Human Trafficking Legal Center and Free The Slaves. She has worked at the law firm of Baker & McKenzie LLP in Washington, DC, where she supports human trafficking and human rights related pro bono initiatives for seven years. Ms. Chumbow is currently the Director of Operations & Survivor Leadership Director for The Human Trafficking Legal Center. Ms. Chumbow hopes to leverage her unique position as a former child slave to end human trafficking in West Africa, in her hometown, and the rest of the world.
Show Notes
Contact Evelyn at:
Evelyn Chumbow
Director of Advocacy & Survivor Leadership
The Human Trafficking Legal Center
1030 15th Street, NW #104B
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 849-5815
Connect with Evelyn on LinkedIn
More Resources
- Human Trafficking Legal Center
- Racism and the Anti-Trafficking Movement
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Webinar with Evelyn Chumbow on Child Labor Trafficking
- Investing in Survivors of Labor Trafficking Through the Harriet Tubman Fellowship
Support Human Trafficking Survivors through STAC
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