Allow us to introduce you to Monique Smith, known as the longest-living Jane Doe.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Monique Smith is an award-winning author, advocate, and powerful storyteller, who has dedicated her life to raising awareness about missing and exploited children.
Monique’s journey began with a painful realization – she was an Unidentified Missing Person and Abducted Child. Having endured years of abuse and trauma, she made the courageous decision to flee the only home she knew. Little did she know that this would mark the beginning of a remarkable transformation.
Can you share with us the pivotal moment in your life when you realized you were an Unidentified Missing Person and Abducted Child, and how that realization shaped your journey toward becoming an advocate for human trafficking awareness?
As early as elementary school, I aspired to be a mother of six. So it was devastating to discover the shocking news from the results I found across different municipalities, which revealed several false identities. The moment I realized that my own identity had been falsely represented in several municipalities, it was devastating, but it also gave me the drive to fight for countless others like me who are living without proper identification.
Your story involves overcoming years of abuse and trauma. How did you find the courage to flee the only home you knew, and what steps did you take to navigate the challenging path of self-discovery?
Tapping into my resilience factor helped me excel in life from middle school and beyond. I absorbed pleasant elements that I witnessed and experienced, which showed me that there’s so much more to life than pain. This caused me to know that I was meant for so much more, allowing me to work toward who I wanted to be. I left bondage and faced new challenges with the same mindset of seeking the life I deserved.
As someone who has emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience, what motivates you to continue sharing your story and advocating for others in the fight against human trafficking?
Being a survivor of child abduction and human trafficking is something that will always be a part of me, but it doesn’t define who I am. I believe that by sharing my story, I can give hope to those who may be going through similar experiences, as well as assist agencies that help with recovery efforts. It motivates me to know that my voice can inspire others to speak up and get the help they need for themselves or their loved ones. I also feel a responsibility to use my platform to raise awareness and advocate for stronger laws and action against these heinous acts that violate human rights.
Your documentary, “The Longest Living Jane Doe,” is a testament to your strength and spirit. Can you tell us about the challenges you faced in creating this personal and creative piece, and what impact you hope it has on raising awareness?
There were ten hard years and large investments made with no results about my identity, birth, and lineage. Knowing once again that it was my responsibility to do more, I did. It wasn’t easy stepping into another industry, and these unfamiliar territories caused huge setbacks. However, once the documentary “The Longest Living Jane Doe” was released, which I produced as I self-published the book-to-movie “I Am The Ancestor, Before I Die I Must Share My Story,” helping others was a goal, but allowing my children to see me build a legacy with no lineage for them… No amount of money could replace that. So, taking time out to educate myself about independent filmmaking, contracting a filming crew, and executing the plan was a new freedom.
Beyond the recognition from organizations like the NAACP Image Awards and media outlets such as People Magazine and HBO, how do you measure the impact of your advocacy work, especially in striving to create a world where no child goes missing or falls victim to exploitation?
I’m extremely proud of my work and honored that it has had an impact on so many amazing platforms, with others in the works. Human trafficking is a $150 billion global industry. It’s STILL the fastest-growing criminal enterprise. Eradicating human trafficking from what used to only be known as something that happened overseas to now being in every zip code in the United States is what all advocates/activists strive for. “See Something Save Something” must convert into “See Something SAVE Someone.” This is how we go from awareness to saving lives.
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