{"id":259724,"date":"2025-09-27T21:50:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T21:50:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/259724\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T21:50:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T21:50:28","slug":"lucy-lius-message-to-1000-leaders-at-dallas-stand-for-her-luncheon-dallas-innovates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/259724\/","title":{"rendered":"Lucy Liu’s Message to 1,000 Leaders at Dallas Stand for Her Luncheon \u00bb Dallas Innovates"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cTen years ago, this room wouldn\u2019t be this full,\u201d Lucy Liu told 1,000 advocates and leaders at the 2025 New Friends New Life Stand for Her Luncheon on September 12 at the Omni Dallas Hotel.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The actress and UNICEF Ambassador brought both reality and hope to the annual event, which serves as the Dallas-based nonprofit\u2019s primary fundraiser, supporting its work with trafficked and sexually exploited women, teen girls, and their children.<\/p>\n

In an on-stage conversation with NBC 5\u2019s Laura Harris, Liu discussed her global advocacy work while calling for local action and human connection. The program opened with Booker T. Washington High School students performing \u201cStand by Me\u201d and featured the ProtectHER Awards, recognizing Chad Frymire, Erin Nealy Cox, Eliza McCoy, and Laila Mickelwait for their anti-trafficking work.<\/p>\n

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Presented by Thomson Reuters, New Friends New Life CEO Bianca Davis joins 2025 ProtectHER Award recipients Eliza McCoy, Erin Nealy Cox, and Chad Frymire with Priya Murphy at the Stand for Her Luncheon. The awards recognize changemakers committed to protecting women and girls through prevention, justice, and advocacy. [Photo: NFNL]<\/p>\n

The reality is local<\/strong><\/p>\n

Liu\u2019s reflections on everything from parenting to technology to the power of simple kindness formed the centerpiece of the afternoon, according to New Friends New Life. Here\u2019s a takeaway.<\/p>\n

Liu\u2019s most urgent message centered on trafficking\u2019s presence in North Texas. \u201cPeople think trafficking only happens in war-torn countries\u2014but it happens here, at bus stops and airports. We don\u2019t look at it until it happens to us.\u201d <\/p>\n

The scope is staggering, according to New Friends New Life. CEO Bianca Davis underscored the stakes with sobering statistics: 400 teens are trafficked in Dallas each night, traffickers in North Texas profit $99 million annually, and the average age of entry into trafficking in the U.S. is just 15.<\/p>\n

Liu connected trafficking to broader issues of awareness and education, the organization said. \u201cEducation helps children become independent. Things fall through the cracks because of ignorance,\u201d she said, emphasizing personal responsibility: \u201cIf you see something, say something. If it doesn\u2019t seem right, it probably isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawing from her own experience, Liu acknowledged the challenge parents face in protecting vulnerable teens. \u201cAt 16, I thought I knew everything. As parents, we know kids are vulnerable\u2014but we can\u2019t tether them to us. People won\u2019t know unless you tell them.\u201d She spoke candidly about trauma\u2019s lasting effects: \u201cTrauma connects to many things. Independence is taken away. Shame is internal. There\u2019s so much we don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Lucy Liu shares her journey from charity event overwhelm to focused UNICEF advocacy. While traveling with UNICEF she learned that \u201cit wasn\u2019t just about vaccines or education.\u201d Kids were being kidnapped and sold. [Photo: NFNL]<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The power of community<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite harsh realities, Liu found reason for hope in the packed ballroom. \u201cYou can\u2019t seclude yourself from the community and expect to make an impact. It really takes a village.\u201d Her simple human interactions are powerful, she said. \u201cShake the hand of the person next to you. If someone says something kind on a bad day, it can switch a light on. That\u2019s humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Liu also warned against forces that undermine those connections. \u201cTechnology keeps us from talking. We\u2019re scrolling instead of connecting. That separation leads to sadness.\u201d <\/p>\n

Her call to action was both practical and accessible entry point for people: \u201cSpread the word\u2014it doesn\u2019t cost a thing. Volunteer. Be part of something.\u201d<\/p>\n

From overwhelm to focus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Liu\u2019s own path to advocacy began with a need to focus. \u201cI was going to a lot of charity events early in my career. It became overwhelming, so I decided to focus on one: UNICEF.\u201d That decision led her to witness trafficking\u2019s global scope firsthand. While traveling with UNICEF, she learned that \u201cit wasn\u2019t just about vaccines or education.\u201d Kids were being kidnapped and sold\u2014human rights violations happening worldwide.<\/p>\n

Liu drew from her early experiences in Los Angeles to illustrate the importance of direct engagement. \u201cWhen I first moved to LA, I worked during Thanksgiving in homeless shelters,\u201d she said. \u201cHaving a conversation with someone going through that\u2014it\u2019s not an easy road. Perseverance needs to be in place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout her remarks, Liu offered perspective on life\u2019s challenges, reminding the audience that \u201cthis moment in your life is not the only moment. It\u2019s just one moment.\u201d She also reflected on her background as the child of immigrants: \u201cBoth my parents worked. They were immigrants who came to this country to study. I started with painting, sculpture, collage\u2014then acting. Art is expression, whether you do it alone or with others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her film career, she noted with humor, took unexpected turns. \u201cI didn\u2019t get into this business to do action movies\u2014it just happened. I\u2019m not Jackie Chan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, she teased her involvement in \u201cThe Devil Wears Prada 2\u201d: \u201cI can\u2019t say anything, but I\u2019m excited to be part of it. I have a cameo and can\u2019t take any credit, but it\u2019s going to be fun and fabulous. It\u2019s been 20 years since the first one\u2014and 25 since Charlie\u2019s Angels. Some of you in this room weren\u2019t even born then!\u201d<\/p>\n

The power of unity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Liu urged people to tap the power of collective action: \u201cEverything is changing. Every moment becomes a memory. There\u2019s so much more power in unity.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Friends New Life said the event\u2019s central message was clear: \u201cHope is not only possible\u2014it\u2019s already taking root.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Two exhibits, Artifacts of Human Trafficking and Her, artwork by program graduate, youth mentor, and artist Robbie Hamilton, were also on view.<\/p>\n

Luncheon Co-Chairs Lynn Dowdle and Karla Smith were on hand to recognize The Honorable Betsy Price, who was honorary luncheon chair, along with key civic partners, donors, board members, and sponsors. They also encouraged guests to continue advancing the mission beyond the ballroom, according to the organization.<\/p>\n

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Luncheon Co-Chair Karla Smith, New Friends New Life CEO Bianca Davis, actress and UNICEF Ambassador Lucy Liu, Luncheon Co-Chair Lynn Dowdle, and Honorary Chair The Honorable Betsy Price at the 2025 Stand for Her Luncheon on September 12 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. [Photo: NFNL]<\/p>\n

\nNFNL said attendees included Robin Bagwell, Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown, Mary Bowman Campbell, Cole Edmonson, Commissioner Elba Garcia of District 4, Elizabeth Gambrell, Jimmy Heimpel, Libby Hunt, Nancy Ann Hunt, Janet Jensen, Ashlee Kleinert, Melissa Sherrill Martin, Sharon McCullough, Michael Meadows, Peter Miller, Kelly Mitchell, Jan Osborn, Pat Schenkel, Jessica Turner Waugh, Wayne White, Stephanie Wilcox, and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Gay Donnell Willis, and other business and civic leaders.<\/p>\n

CEO Davis reminded the audience of the power of change and of hope, NFNL said. Thanks to the support of its donors and partners, the organization \u201ccontinues to help women and girls find stability, education, employment, and healing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss what\u2019s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/p>\n

Track Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n

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