Holding signs reading, “Trafficking is slavery” and “Human trafficking: second largest criminal industry in the world,” Ursuline Sisters and Associates joined dozens of others downtown on April 28 for a prayer vigil and peaceful demonstration to raise awareness of human trafficking.

Friend to the Ursulines and a human trafficking survivor, Margeaux Gray attended the event with her guide dog June Bug. Answering questions posed by reporters, Margeaux shared her story of being trafficked for sex by an adult the family trusted. She was a child who also took ballet, swimming and piano lessons like many of her peers.

Beside Margeaux were others committed to the issue. They have organized PATH or People Against the Trafficking of Humans, a local coalition of those working to end this social evil. PATH has evolved in the last three years out of an initial gathering of women religious who saw the need to address human trafficking.

Ursuline Sisters and Associates attending the vigil were Theresa Butler, Barbara Mercer and Rosetta Fackler, and Sisters Jo Ann Jansing, Agnes Coveney, Paula Kleine-Kracht, Martha Jacob, Macrina Stermec and Rita Ann Wigginton.

Click here for more on PATH and to read about Margeaux’s story >>