Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

By: LaDarrien Gillette C2016 A simple rose. A touch of compassion. A few words of prayer. These are three things that flood my memory of a Friday night a couple of months ago. Along the streets of Fulton Industrial Blvd in Atlanta I accompanied a group of young women and men on a “Princess Night”. Rushing from a late night at work I felt my nerves getting to me as I pulled up to the Atlanta Dream Center for the Princess Night debrief. It was here that I was told what I would be facing that night-women who lived a life of selling their bodies in exchange for money on the streets of Atlanta. After the meeting we hopped into the van and headed to Fulton Industrial Blvd to hand out roses and speak words of prayer to women in need. Before this night I had never once thought that I would be able to handle this type of interaction, but I was so very wrong. Instead I was eager to get out and see and touch the women and just let them know that they were loved. I spoke with every woman that night, even if it was a silent, loving communication through the meeting of our eyes. I said my own silent prayers for them that they would find peace. I spoke with many women that night and their stories moved me. From stories of their children to ones of sick family members my heart could only feel for them. One woman in particular caught my attention, her name was Rita and her spirit reminded me so much of a close family member of mine, that I lagged behind my group to continue speaking with her. I let her know that she was a beautiful African-American woman, capable of doing amazing things. I reminded her of all that she could do should she just love herself and realize her potential. Before I knew it tears were running down my face and, by the end of our time together I almost felt like she was consoling me. I gave Rita a hug and walked off to the van. I’m not sure if she knew it but meeting her I believe sealed my destiny. From that Princess Night I knew that my calling lies in teaching young women to love themselves and to be aware of the dangers of our world. Women, of all different hues, backgrounds and from different families walk the streets each and every night. Women, who are being sexually exploited. Women, who have children at home and sick mothers in the hospital. Two simple words can explain this crime-sex trafficking. When people in the United • ••do Sprint 3G 9:07 PM 'O' 66%mjr November 8. 2013, 10:05 PM Markayvia: her and boyfriend London: safety Shay: children Tyrone: community Vivian: mother,health,job Tasia: family Destiny: anything Kristin: 3 children Juicy: children Juicys friend (didnt want rose) ...Rita A- Deliverance M2 Gillette’s Prayer List from Princess Night LaDarrien Gillette C’2016 12 Feb/March 2014 SpelmanPaper@gmail.com The BluePrint ««