Sonya Martinez

Sonya Martinez: A 2014 Human Rights Award Winner
Yukon, OK
Nominated by Hilda De Leon Xavier

A trauma survivor and overcomer herself, Sonya Martinez has an art for empowering people by developing personal and professional strategies that help advance them in their destiny. She served as an Associate Pastor in Corpus Christi, Texas, and it provided her the opportunity to lead various women’s conferences and mission trips into Mexico, South and Central America. It was these experiences that strengthened her passion for fighting for the rights of those who suffer injustices. In 2008, Sonya helped found a local organization in Corpus Christi dedicated to eradicating modern day slavery in South Texas through preventative efforts. Sonya’s experience and passion as the founder of Blue Nation led her to pioneer the first ever shelter for victims of human trafficking in Lesotho. BDS was established in 2011, with Sonya as Africa Director. In 2012, Sonya and team opened the Hand of Hope Transformation Center in Lesotho, Africa, for survivors of human trafficking.

"BDS," the Beautiful Dream Society, is an active participant in Oklahoma’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task force. Sonya and her team took the lead in establishing the first state certified shelter in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  

“No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”

(Article 4 of the UDHR)
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml#a4