Miami, FL – October 6, 2019 – The collective of supporters of Miami-based non-profit, No More Tears, gathered at the Miami Design District for the fourth annual No More Tears Awards. The charity, which raises funds to aid victims of human and sex trafficking and domestic violence, has created a powerful movement in the city that just so happens to be number two in the country in terms of ranked locations for these atrocities. Every seven blocks, someone is being held, against their will. Thanks to the tireless efforts of survivor, cause founder, and victim advocate Somy Ali, and an army of dedicated volunteers, the fight to see those numbers decrease until disappearing is alive and well. And, as every cent raised goes directly towards the safe rehabilitation of these victims, the generosity of the attendees this Sunday made this year the most successful one yet. As always, special members of the community were honored for their commitment to making our world a better place by championing causes and acting as an example for the masses.

This year the distinguished award recipients included: Reverend Juan Del Hierro, Ariel Penzer-Milgroom, Monique Idlett Mosely and Ines Rivero. Similarly awarded was keynote speaker, Coco Berthmann, who as a survivor of fifteen years of being trafficked by her own mother is today a certified protection specialist, aspiring human rights attorney and works as a human-trafficking rescue operator. Another brave victim who has just recently been rescued by No More Tears shared her story with some 250 attendees, none of which maintained a dry eye. With some $200,000 raised in that afternoon including a very generous $50,000 by Alitza Weiss, many lives will be saved but none of that would have been possible without the support of the donating vendors that made the beautiful afternoon flawless.

The incredible event took place in The Miami Design District’s glass laden event space where sunlight flooded the room that was so generously donated by The Lounge Design Furniture Rentals. Guests dined on an exquisite lunch prepared by Ember and so graciously offered by Chef Brad Kilgore and his wife Soraya and their produce suppliers at Mr. Greens. And of course, once the presentation was done and it was time to dry the tears a bit, attendees imbibed on a vast selection of Elouan wines, Fever Tree premium cocktail mixers, Tito’s Vodka and Casamigos Tequila, all the while swaying to the sounds of Paperwater. PSID handled all of the AV and staging, making it extra glam with their gold curtains and massive LED screen so the large audience could witness the victims share their story and the recipients receive their awards. All in all, the afternoon was an impressive coming together of local influencers, socialites, press and friends of the charity who remain committed to making a change. The committee and it’s chair, local philanthropist and journalist, Erin Michelle Newberg have big plans for the fifth installment but for now, donations are welcome at www.nomoretearsusa.org and remember, every dollar is spent saving lives.

Learn more about No More Tears and founder, Somy Ali, as we unveiled her past and discussed her journey to where she is today.

By Marissa Scarpulla

WRE: Born in Pakistan, you moved to the United States at the age of 12. You then moved to Mumbai, India at 16. At such a young age, what inspired you to move across the world? 

SA: I moved to Mumbai at age 16 because I had a huge crush on the equivalent of Bollywood’s Brad Pitt, Salman Khan. I figured I would need to work in Bollywood to find him and then marry him. As bizarre as this sounds, my first film was with him as my co-star. I ended up acting in ten feature films because of this one ridiculous crush. The relationship did not work out, however the money I earned during my time in India, helped me initiate No More Tears.

WRE: Following your many years in front of the camera, why did you decide to go behind the camera? 

SA: I decided to go behind it solely because of one Pakistani woman’s story. Her name is Muktaran Mai and I read her story in the NY Times back in 2005. She was conveniently punished for something her younger brother allegedly did and the village elders ordered to have her gang raped by four men. I was significantly troubled by this crime and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I wanted to put it on film, which eventually led to film school, and my film on this woman’s journey aired at then Senator Hillary Clinton’s benefit in 2006.

Speaking my truth has been priceless…  Speaking about it openly or with a professional continues to have immeasurable benefits for a survivor, this has definitely been the case for me.

Somy Ali

WRE: In 2007, you founded No More Tears. Since its inception, the organization has rescued more than 30,000 victims — women, children and members of the LGBTQ community — from severe sexual and physical abuse. What does the future hold for the organization? 

SA: The future for No More Tears entails pursuing what it has done for the past twelve years while maintaining the same financial model. I have nothing against CEO’s on nonprofits taking salaries, but I do believe that many are taking astronomical amounts, which is not necessary. I am proud of NMT’s model where no one takes a salary and we raise funds to rescue, assist and empower victims that are in desperate need. I also love the idea of not placing anyone in dire need of help on a waiting list. Again, something we are significantly proud of implementing in our mission. The last thing we want to tell women, children or men who could lose their lives is to call us back in two months.

WRE: As someone who experienced sexual abuse not only as a child, but throughout your teenage years in the entertainment industry, how has the #MeToo Movement made you want to tell your own story? 

SA: The #MeToo Movement has made me want to tell my story in the form of my memoir. It is perhaps the best initiative one could think of for survivors that have been screaming yet remain unheard. It has encouraged me to finally continue working on telling my story without the fear of what others might think or perceive. I was reluctant to finish my memoir because of known names for a long time, but this movement has reassured me put it all down on paper. This movement personally has given me a voice I knew I had, but was reluctant to raise it.

WRE: What is a change that needs to happen in the entertainment industry? 

SA: The change that needs to happen in the entertainment industry is the overall treatment of the vulnerable. Not just women and children, but men suffer as well when one has power over them. Sexual abuse is prevalent in all industries or work places, but it is significantly more pronounced in the entertainment industry. The assumption of the perpetrators is that because this individual wants to achieve success and fame at all costs, he/she would be willing to sacrifice it all to attain it. Many of the young actors I saw in Bollywood, mainly girls, were expected to leave their dignity outside the audition room if they came from an average household. However, the ones that were some actor’s daughter or son were immediately off limits. There are many aspects to the abuse of power here and we have a long way to go. Starting from women not earning the same as men to the immediate expectation that they will be willing to sleep with anyone for success has to change. We are headed in the right direction with the likes of Spacey, Weinstein and others being held accountable, but we have barely just scratched the surface.

WRE: What is your personal mantra that has gotten you through life?

SA: To never give up. It sounds clichéd, but it truly has been instrumental in saving numerous lives. Doing social work is tough and running a nonprofit is tougher. There have been unfathomable hurdles throughout my journey with NMT and otherwise. From lack of donations to an abuser holding a gun to my face, once you decide that what you are doing is literally eliminating a cycle of abuse, you just keep on. When you see the survivors successful, smiling and healing, the last thing you want to do is give up.

WRE: What has been the most rewarding experience throughout your time helping victims of human trafficking and domestic violence? 

SA: The most rewarding experience throughout my time helping victims of human trafficking and domestic violence has been seeing them thrive. It’s amazing how much one can achieve if given the right tools along with tons of compassion. The best day of my life was in 2011 when a victim of domestic violence graduated with a PhD in pharmacy. She was brought to the US via an arranged marriage and physically abused for over ten years because she wanted to pursue an education. She would hide in the bathroom with an Arabic to English dictionary and teach herself how to speak the language. When we found her she had chunks of hair missing from her scalp and was bruised badly. Nonetheless, the first thing she asked for is her ability to go to school via NMT’s educational program.

WRE: Although speaking out about abuse is a difficult experience, you’ve also stated it’s one of the most liberating. Tell us more about the importance of speaking your truth? 

SA: Speaking my truth has been priceless for numerous reasons. It took me 40 years to publicly talk about being sexually abused as a child and raped as a teenager. But once I started sharing it, I realized I was just breathing better. No matter how successful you are or how wealthy one is, if there has been unaddressed trauma, you will keep reliving it over and over again. Speaking about it openly or with a professional continues to have immeasurable benefits for a survivor, this has definitely been the case for me.