Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-FL, hosted the first ever EmpowHER Awards Ceremony to celebrate exceptional women in the fields of leadership, humanitarian work, sports, arts, and STEM. From the left are awardees Dr. Rena Amro, Commissioner Karlene Maxwell-Williams, Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Calibe Thompson, Regine Hill, Victoria Sexton, and emcee Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn.

In 2019, Victoria Sexton, an attorney for Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida’s Human Trafficking Legal Program, was recently presented the “EmpowHER Humanitarian Award” for her work with survivors of human trafficking.

Sexton began her work with survivors through an Equal Justice Works Fellowship. Currently, the Office for Victims of Crime funds CCLA’s Human Trafficking Legal Program. Through that grant, CCLA provides “free, holistic, comprehensive legal services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking.” Sexton assists survivors with expungements, education, name changes, housing issues, family law cases, immigration applications, and obtaining or changing identifying documents. She works closely with other local human trafficking providers to ensure survivors receive all wraparound services needed.