By Elizabeth Lenart – Guest Contributor

More than 1,150 community leaders, advocates and supporters came together for New Friends New Life’s 2026 Stand for Her Luncheon on Sept. 24, raising critical support for women and girls who have experienced human trafficking and exploitation.

The luncheon began on an emotional note with “I Stand for Her,” an original song written by Myshel Wilkins and her team specifically for New Friends New Life. The song, which will become the organization’s anthem, tells the story of a survivor moving from darkness toward freedom.

Luncheon Co-chairs Beth Thoele and daughter Brooke Russo, and Kathy Helm and daughter Marci Kramer, welcomed guests and emphasized the importance of the organization’s trauma-informed services. Honorary Co-chairs Lottye and Bobby Lyle were recognized in the audience for their long-time support of the organization. 

Thoele reminded the audience that once you understand what women and girls have survived, “you cannot look away. You can only decide what you’re going to do about it.”

The organization then presented its 2026 ProtectHER Awards, honoring individuals and organizations making a difference in the fight against human trafficking and gender-based violence. Honorees included Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, for her advocacy behind Trey’s Law, protecting survivors from being silenced by nondisclosure agreements; Janet Jensen, for her transformative investment in organizations that help survivors of gender-based violence; and representatives of Baker Botts and the Toyota Motor North America Pro Bono Legal Clinic for their advocacy, investment and legal services supporting survivors.

A powerful video featuring Karli, a young college graduate and graduate of New Friends New Life’s program, showed how manipulation can begin subtly and ultimately lead to exploitation. CEO Bianca Davis challenged guests to recognize that trafficking can be hidden in plain sight and shared that the commercial sex industry in North Texas generates an estimated $99 million annually.

Davis urged the audience to be alert to signs that someone may be experiencing exploitation and emphasized the importance of asking a simple question: “Are you OK?” It was a question that ultimately helped Karli recognize that she was not.

Davis also highlighted New Friends New Life’s 28 years of providing a comprehensive network of support, including safe housing, counseling, education, legal services and assistance with basic needs. She closed by announcing that the organization was approaching its $1 million fundraising goal, with nearly $900,000 raised.

The luncheon’s keynote conversation between NBC 5’s Laura Harris and Tracee Ellis Ross brought humor, candor and deeply personal stories.

Ross was visibly moved by Karli’s story and especially by her declaration that “women are so strong.” She thanked New Friends New Life for creating a place where women and girls can rediscover that strength and “know it in their bones.”

Ross connected the organization’s mission to experiences and lessons from her own life:

Trusting your instincts: Referencing her TED Talk, The Wisdom of Fury, Ross discussed how women are often taught to minimize seemingly small experiences and distrust their own intuition. She encouraged women to recognize the wisdom in their anger and listen to what it may be telling them.

Finding her own voice: Ross recalled feeling pressure growing up to make everyone happy and “change the temperature” in a room. She shared a story about a pediatrician who described her as “a big ball of fire” and told her mother to make sure it went in the right direction – not extinguish it.

Changing the way women are portrayed: Reflecting on Girlfriends and Black-ish, Ross said she has fought to make sure the women she portrays have identities beyond their relationships. She recalled pushing back against Bow Johnson becoming “wife wallpaper” and working with Anthony Anderson to challenge stereotypical portrayals of household roles.

The power of doing things together: Ross talked about her Broadway experience in Every Brilliant Thing, an interactive play exploring mental health and the things that make life worth living. The experience reinforced her belief that “when we do it together, we can flourish.” Her simple takeaway: “Your main job is to be kind.”

On healing and rebuilding trust: Ross connected New Friends New Life’s work to the experience of women who may feel broken or afraid, saying they should know “you can be scared. It’s okay.” Healing happens at each person’s own pace and that women need the time and space to rebuild a sense of safety, trust and self-worth. She said she imagined that is exactly what New Friends New Life does: “You have to sit and hold that space with someone until they know they are safe enough to trust.”

Women creating and owning: Discussing Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross and her travels in Morocco, Ross said she is inspired by women who “create something, lead it, own it, and benefit from it.” She described solo travel as a metaphor for owning your own journey and having agency over your happiness, safety, joy and choices.

Men have a role, too: Ross emphasized that creating safer communities requires men to take responsibility, ask questions and truly listen. She encouraged men to notice when something does not seem right and take action, even if it simply means asking someone, “Are you OK?”

Ross closed by thanking New Friends New Life and the Dallas audience for welcoming her and expressing her support for the organization’s mission.

“I stand for her AND with her,” she said.