We are a not for profit organization made up of people who don't want to live in a world with slavery. And we're willing to do something about it. We don't waste time debating which kind of slavery is worse -- brick kilns or carpet looms, sex or domestic, new or old -- it's all horrible. Slavery is a dark slash across the heart of all humanity.
We believe there are no easy answers to eradicating slavery. But there are answers from the people who are enslaved and those helping them to freedom. There is no single path to liberation - the paths are many -- we will tread them all before our job is done.
Free the Slaves liberates slaves around the world, helps them rebuild their lives and researches real world solutions to eradicate slavery forever. We use world class research and compelling stories from the frontlines of slavery to convince the powerful and the powerless that we can and must end slavery.
Free the Slaves' knows that slavery flourishes when people cannot meet their basic needs. Slavery is rampant where poor people lack economic opportunities, education, healthcare and an honest government. A holistic approach is required to eradicate slavery forever. That's why we free slaves around the world by working with grassroots organizations where slavery flourishes. In the process, we record and share their stories so people in power can see slavery and work for freedom. Part of this process involves letting consumers know when they are buying into slavery and working with governments to produce effective anti-slavery laws, then holding them to their commitments. We research what works and what doesn't so that we use resources strategically and effectively to end slavery. Forever.
Jolene Smith, Executive Director--Jolene Smith is co-founder and Executive Director of Free the Slaves. Under her leadership Free the Slaves has grown to have programs in Ghana, Haiti, Nepal and Sudan in addition to its work in India and the United States; to conduct further groundbreaking research such as the first-ever study on modern slavery happening within the United States; and to create the world's largest freely available video library of modern slavery in order to facilitate education on this issue. She has spoken out against modern slavery at venues throughout the US, and through various media outlets, including CBS' 48 Hours, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, NPR's Marketplace, BBC Radio, Univisión, and Talk Radio Johannesburg.
Peggy Callahan, Producer/Communications Director--Peggy Callahan is co-founder and Executive Producer/Communications Director of Free the Slaves. Ms. Peggy is a critically acclaimed television reporter and producer with more than 20 years of experience in documentary production, feature series direction and production, news production and news anchoring. At Free the Slaves she has produced 3 documentaries that have aired both nationally and internationally and amassed a video library on modern slavery that is the largest in existence that is made freely available to people working to fight slavery.
Meg Roggensack, Policy Director--Meg Roggensack is a lawyer specializing in international trade and human rights. During her private legal career at Hogan and Hartson, she headed the firm's Latin America Practice Group, guided the Community Service Department's expansion into public international law pro bono matters, and chaired coalitions of businesses, think tanks and nonprofit organizations. Among career highlights were the restoration of democratically elected government in Haiti, as counsel to deposed President Jean Bertrand Aristide. Ms. Roggensack serves on the boards of several human rights organizations, including the Washington Office on Latin America and the Due Process of Law Foundation. She lives in Washington DC and Easton, MD with her Airedale Bearcat.