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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Autobiography documents young girl’s life of slavery

and her inspiration to overcome it

The Laredo Public Library is continuing its tradition of bringing in amazing authors with powerful stories at lectures for the community and the next author will not disappoint.  Author of The Road of Lost Innocence, Somaly Mam, will be at the Laredo Public Library HEB Multi-Purpose Room on Saturday, October 9, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., where she will speak about her experience, talk to attendees and sign books.  The book is her true story: as a young Cambodian girl, was sold into sexual slavery, but now rescues others.   

All are invited to attend the event, which is free and open to the public.  The book and can be checked out or purchased at the Laredo Public Library.  For more information, contact Pam Burrell at the Laredo Public Library at 795-2400, x2268.

About the book:

Sold into slavery as a young girl – first as an indentured servant to a surly, violent older man, then, at 16, to a brothel – Mam could have lived a life of misery and defeat.  Instead, she found freedom and security while keeping her remarkable spirit intact.  This unflinching, searing memoir tells Mam’s story, from her early childhood as an orphan in the mountains of Cambodia to her current role as cofounder and president of the AFESIP (Acting for Women in Distressing Circumstances) and the Somaly Mam foundations, which have rescued more than 3,400 women and children throughout Southeast Asia.  Mam’s voice is humble, matter-of-fact, and wrenchingly real.  Her passionate refusal to let other girls suffer as she did spurs her to action.  She began by gathering money to help distribute birth control as a precaution against AIDS, then moved on to rescue young women and girls, taking them into a shelter and teaching them employable skills – all against extraordinary odds.  The story of Mam, nearly a 21^st century Mother Teresa, both inspires and calls to action.  – Emily Cook