Micheline Slattery, human rights activist and former slave in Haiti and the United States, will be speaking Thursday, October 15, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at the University of Central Florida in the Key West Ballroom of the Student Union. Her presentation will be on "21st Century Slavery: Living Proof."
Slattery was born to a prominent political family in Haiti. After being orphaned at age five, she was sent to live with her aunt and uncle in a nearby town. As often occurs among rural families in Haiti, Slattery was forced to work as her extended familys servant, or restavec, as a child slave is commonly known there.
Beginning from the time she was five, Slattery was expected to clean the house, wash and fold the laundry, and walk for miles to collect water. If she failed to complete all her chores, she was beaten by her relatives. She still bears a scar on her left cheek from the time her cousin struck her across the face with a butcher knife.
At fourteen, Slattery was trafficked to Connecticut to serve as her cousins slave, performing domestic chores and taking care of several children. She never received compensation for her work. It took several years before she was finally able to leave and resettle in Massachusetts, where she now works as a nurse.
Slattery began speaking out last recently. She has testified before the Massachusetts State Assembly and has been featured by New England Cable News, Boston Metro and The Hartford Courant.
The event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the UCF Global Perspectives Office, UCF Political Science Department, UCF International Services Center, UCF Women's Studies Program, Lawrence J.
Chastang and the Chastang Foundation, UCF LIFE and the Global Connections Foundation.
Please see the attached flyer or visit www.ucfglobalperspectives.org for further information.
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