Impactful Women of the 918: Sara Gadd

Sara Gadd has dedicated her career to helping victims of human trafficking find safety, healing and hope. As manager of Ascension St. John’s Human Trafficking Education and Response Program, she trains healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of trafficking, connect victims with resources and work alongside community partners to increase awareness across Oklahoma.

After realizing how little many people understood about human trafficking, Gadd made it her mission to educate others and advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. She also works with law enforcement, social service agencies and community organizations to strengthen resources for victims across Oklahoma.

Gadd says the most meaningful part of her work is “seeing lives changed and hope restored where there was once none at all.” She has witnessed people who didn’t realize they were victims find healing, young people discover safety and communities come together to support those in need.

Outside of Ascension, Gadd chairs the Oklahoma Coalition Against Human Trafficking and supports Tulsa Hills Youth Ranch, which serves children who have experienced trauma.

Her hope is that Tulsa continues to grow into a community where people look out for one another, victims know where to turn for help and every person has the opportunity to find safety, restoration and hope.

Q&A with Sara Gadd

Can you describe your role with Ascension’s Human Trafficking Education and Response Program?

I manage the Ascension St. John human trafficking program, where I work to train all associates on internal protocols to identify and respond to the needs of those experiencing human trafficking in a trauma-informed manner, including assistance with referrals to resources as needed. I oversee one full-time human trafficking advocate and work closely with the Ascension St. John internal response team to further develop the program’s capacity to serve victims.

I also continue to engage law enforcement, social service agencies and other organizations in Oklahoma and nationwide to collaborate on efforts to spread awareness, provide education, support advocacy, increase capacity to serve victims and combat human trafficking in our state and beyond. Additionally, I serve as a member of the Ascension national human trafficking workgroup.

What inspired you to dedicate your career to combating human trafficking?

This vulnerable population is often overlooked, misunderstood or considered willing participants in the horrific things that they experience. As I realized how few resources and how little knowledge our community had, I became determined to make a difference. From teaching first responders about human trafficking to advocating at the state level for legislative change to chairing our local human trafficking coalition, my goal has been to bring light to this underreported and often hidden crime and to offer resources to those who are experiencing human trafficking.

What has been one of the most meaningful moments or accomplishments in your work?

Ascension’s mission to “Answer God’s call to bring health, healing, and hope to all” sums up the way I feel about the work that I do and the difference we can all make if we work together. Every accomplishment and meaningful moment can be traced back to this mission because the most meaningful part of my work is seeing lives changed and hope restored where there was once none at all.

How has your work changed the way you see our community — or the importance of recognizing and responding to human trafficking?

True awareness of the reality of human trafficking in our communities is my goal because it is with true awareness that we can make a difference. I’ve seen individuals who did not know what was happening to them was a crime find hope and healing. I have seen young people who thought they were in a situation that they could never leave find safety. I have seen parents and friends and church members realize that someone they knew might be a victim and reach out to each other to change the trajectory of their lives. I have also seen a community of people grow together and collaborate in ways that can change our state for the better.

What do you hope your work will accomplish for Tulsa and the people who live here?

Ultimately, I want my children to grow up in a community where people look out for each other. I truly believe that begins with increasing awareness of the issues our young people are facing each day and being willing to collaborate with those around us. By doing that, three things can happen:

1. Greater awareness of the realities of trafficking so that we can both prevent it from happening and identify others who might be vulnerable or need help;
2. Strengthened community resources so that victims have a place to go; and
3. A community where victims will find safety and restoration.

Outside of your professional role, are there any organizations, volunteer work or community efforts that are especially meaningful to you?

I serve as the chair of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Human Trafficking (OCAT), whose mission is to advance a multidisciplinary response to all forms of human trafficking by focusing on prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships. I have been a part of this task force since its inception in 2013.

Another organization that means a lot to my family is the Tulsa Hills Youth Ranch. Their dedication to assisting children who have experienced trauma is immense, and I would encourage people to look into them. They are always looking for mentors for the kids they work with, and the impact someone can make in the life of a young person is huge.

What does being named one of TulsaKids’ Impactful Women of the 918 mean to you?

I spend my days surrounded by individuals who are making a difference in our community, so I don’t feel like I’m doing anything special. However, when I think about this honor, I automatically find myself hoping that those who read this will use it as a way to either spark their curiosity to learn more about human trafficking or, if they are a victim, hear that people want to be there for them and reach out for help.

Is there a piece of advice or a message you’d like to share with other women who hope to make a difference in their communities?

It takes an entire community to make a collective difference, and that starts with individuals being willing to learn new things and reach for their dreams. Every person has something that matters to them. It is those passions and desires that, big or small, can make a difference if you never give up.