Mississippi University for Women announced its featured speaker for this year’s Welty Gala in October. Although she is not primarily a writer, she is probably more well-known than any of the event’s past speakers.
In June 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah, a crime that triggered massive attention, not only in the U.S. but around the world. After nine months of captivity, she was recognized on a public street in Sandy, Utah, by alert passersby who had seen her captors featured on America’s Most Wanted. Her safe recovery was hailed as a rare, miraculous outcome in child abduction cases.
After graduating from college, she has been traveling the country telling her story, which includes not only the chilling account of her traumatic kidnapping, but self-help topics such as overcoming trauma, navigating unexpected life changes, resilience and child abuse prevention. She has also authored four books addressing these topics.
Smart’s kidnapping and recovery is one of the most covered true crime cases in American history, including dozens of true crime tv shows, docuseries and TV docudramas.
She is a familiar name in Columbus for another reason.
In 2013, Smart was the guest speaker at Financial Concepts’ “Kindness Raiser” kickoff dinner, which the financial planning firm also used to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
No doubt, those in that audience remember her speech, which not only detailed her gut-wrenching ordeal but set her path for a future she could never have imagined.
“Let’s face it,” she told her audience. “Without it, I’d just be another blonde girl from Utah. So I’m grateful for what it’s been able to allow me to do, to have a voice and make a difference.”
At the time of her previous visit to Columbus she was newlywed with a degree in music from Brigham Young.
In October, those who attend the gala will be listening to a 38-year-old mom of three who has pursued diverse interests since her last visit – including bodybuilding – though she is expected to focus her remarks on her journey of resilience.
It will be interesting to hear what she has to say now, almost a quarter-century since the crime that made her famous compared to what she said as a 24-year-old.
Whatever it might be, it’s certain to be captivating.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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