THE HUMAN RIGHTS HERO AWARDS held last week at Beso restaurant brought out some of the biggest names in Hollywood to award individuals for their tireless work to bring awareness to the issues of human trafficking.
The annual event produced by actress Marisol Nichols (“24,” “NCIS”) and her nonprofit organization, Foundation for a Slavery Free World in partnership with Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI), awarded Board Member and CEO of the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children John Ryan for his 15 years of service; Founder and Executive Director of Saving Innocence Kim Biddle; as well as Nancy Rivard, President and Founder of Airline Ambassadors.
Emmy and Tony award-winner Kristin Chenoweth performed alongside award-winning composer David Campbell. Special keynote speakers included former CIA/Homeland Security Operative and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad Tim Ballard, and Utah’s Attorney General Sean Reyes.
Terry Crews (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Kelly Preston, Jenna Elfman, and Erika Christensen (“Parenthood”) were several of the presenters on-hand to honor the human rights heroes. Other attendees included: Danny Masterson, Leslie David Baker (“The Office”), Carlson Young (“Scream”), Jennifer Aspen (“GCB”), Daphne Wayans (“In Living Color”), Amrapali Ambegaokar (“Scandal”), Marlon Yates (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON), Joanna Going (“Kingdom”), EG Daily (PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE), Azie Tesfai (“Jane The Virgin”), Charlotte Ross (“Arrow”), Becca Tobin (“Glee”), McKaley Miller (“Hart of Dixie”), Kerri Kasem (Radio personality), Nicky Whelan (THE WEDDING RINGER), Catherine Oxenberg (“Dynasty”), Emma Booth (“Glitch”), Izabella Miko (STEP UP ALL IN), Keith Robinson (GET ON UP), and Nicholas Gonzalez (THE PURGE: ANARCHY).
YHRI is a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, an educator born and raised in apartheid South Africa, where she witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of discrimination and the lack of basic human rights. The purpose of YHRI is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspire them to become advocates for tolerance and peace.
