Elizabeth Smart Speaks at 72nd Healthy Woman Event in Moberly, MO.
Article from MoberlyMonitor.com, Written by Connie Duvall
Moberly, Mo. — A crowd of over 800 persons attended the 7th Anniversary Celebration and 72nd Healthy Woman event Tuesday evening held at the Moberly Area Community College Activity Center with Elizabeth (Smart) Gilmore, who to many is known as the 14-year-old girl abducted from her home and suffered a horrible 9-month ordeal, but lived to tell her story. Today she is a beautiful blonde 24-year-old who speaks across the country about overcoming adversity.
MRMC Healthy Woman Program Advisor Lisa Guerrero gave thanks to event partners: Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce, Moberly Area Community College, Moberly Parks and Recreation, Randolph Area YMCA, Moberly Monitor-Index, Randolph County Health Department and KTCM 97.3 FM, and for all in attendance.
Entertainment before the meal was provided by Joshua 24:15.
A prayer was given by MRMC Hospital Chaplain Shonda Galloway followed by a meal catered by Noland’s Catering of Macon.
Following a message from MRMC Assistant CEO John Ballard, Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Miller introduced Elizabeth.
As Elizabeth stated in an earlier press conference, “There is no immunity from life. There is always hope… and a brighter, better day.” Elizabeth’s example and insight in overcoming extreme adversity in a traumatic situation is a daily demonstration that there really is life after a tragic event.
Elizabeth spoke of her being 14 years old, playing the harp, enjoying being with her friends and family, and being so ready to leave junior high.
Her family attended church. It was in Sunday School the teacher talked about praying to God and by giving your life to him as it could change your life. Well, she thought, she wasn’t perfect by any means, but…in the short weeks to follow, it would be prayers to God and thoughts of her family that would sustain her.
Being abducted in the night from her home while sleeping in a bed shared with her 9-year-old sister by a man with a knife at her throat was just the beginning of her 9-month ordeal.
Brian David Mitchell, who called himself Emmanuel, did a “marriage” ceremony and later Elizabeth would learn she was to be the first of seven young brides. Although another woman, Wanda Ileen Barzee was with them through the ordeal, she would provide no help to Elizabeth.
Early on, Elizabeth made the decision, “I will do whatever in my power to survive.” She did.
Elizabeth shared some of the details of her experiences and the advice her mother gave her. Today, Elizabeth is 24-years old. Her 9-month ordeal, tragic as it was, is just 1/24th of her life. She chooses not to let it define her and ruin the rest of her life. Of course she has ups and down like everyone, but she chooses not to be miserable. She is close to her parents, four brothers and one sister. She has attended college and is married! God and family continue to be her strength.
“Terrible things happen to each and every one of us,” says Elizabeth, “We all have different stories to tell. I’m so grateful mine has a happy ending.”
Elizabeth is still writing her story as she takes the opportunity to speak to others and by educating youngsters through radKIDS a non-profit organization, that it is okay to fight back.
For information on how to book Elizabeth Smart for your next event, visit PremiereSpeakers.com/Elizabeth_Smart.