In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to introduce you to two women who are changing the world through their work at the Human Trafficking Institute, Amber Sherwood and Gabrielle Massey.

Amber Sherwood, Country Director Belize

“Being an Advocate”

Victims of sex trafficking are more likely to be female than male in federal human trafficking prosecutions. HTI’s commitment to stop traffickers protects victims from trafficking, but it also provides a unique opportunity for the women working at HTI to use their knowledge and skills to protect other women from exploitation. After 15 years as a prosecutor in the U.S., Amber Sherwood now serves as Country Director for HTI’s program in Belize where she continues working to stop traffickers and protect victims. Amber’s extensive trial experience and familiarity in working collaboratively with task forces and victim service providers is now being used to protect women in Belize and around the world. We sat down with Amber and asked her some questions about her career thus far.

HTI: What motivated you to become a lawyer?

Amber: I had a desire to advocate for the underserved, especially children. I pursued the legal profession for its unmatched opportunities to stand as a shield from injustice. I chose to work for HTI for its broader vision of fighting human trafficking on an international scale and the platform to bring greater change alongside unparalleled experts in our field.

HTI: What is something you are most proud of in your career?

Amber: For fifteen years, I was a Prosecutor and for many of those years I worked with abused children. I’m proud of every one of those cases and the ability to speak into the children’s lives and fight for them. Their appreciation and gratitude; the smiles, the thank you cards, hand drawn pictures and hugs were gifts far greater than any material item.

HTI: If you could thank one person for inspiring or mentoring you, who would it be?

Amber: Christie Ellis, Executive Assistant State Attorney with the Sixth Judicial Circuit for the State of Florida. Christie is an incredible supervisor, she calls people up into their purpose and is an extraordinary attorney in the courtroom.

HTI: What would you tell other women who are thinking about a career in law?

Amber: Be a safe space for other women in our field by dismissing the tendency to compete. Embrace humility by learning from those who came before you. We are meant to pass on our batons, when we see a rising leader it’s critical to release them into opportunities and let go so they can build off of the foundation we laid.

Gabrielle Massey, Country Director Uganda

“Being the Steady Hand for Survivors”

Traffickers often exploit vulnerabilities unique to women to recruit and coerce them into trafficking. Understanding how traffickers recruit and exploit women, and the trauma that results from that exploitation, helps practitioners break the cycle of exploitation in trafficking schemes. After prosecuting over 100 felony jury trials, ⅔ of which were sexually violent offenses against women and children, and with over a decade of working to protect victims of trafficking in Texas, Gabby Massey, HTI Country Director for Uganda, now uses her skills and expertise to empower law enforcement and prosecutors in Uganda to stop trafficking and support survivors. Learn more about how Gabby’s passion to become a trial attorney and work with survivors motivates the work she does every day for HTI. We had the opportunity to sit down with Gabby as she reflected on her motivations, moments in her career she’s proud of, and advice she would give to women interested in law.

HTI: What motivated you to become a lawyer?

Gabby: I “decided” I wanted to be a lawyer when I was about 5. I used to watch Matlock with my grandmother, and one time my mom came in and found me with all my stuffed animals lined up as my “jury” and I was giving a 5-year-old’s version of closing arguments. I suppose I was destined to be a trial attorney.

HTI: What is something you are proud about in your career?

Gabby: I am very proud of trying the first human trafficking case in my old jurisdiction and receiving the longest sentence in courthouse history of 12 cumulative life sentences. But, what I am most proud of is helping the survivor in that case. I have been able to watch this survivor grow from a 15 year old runaway into a beautiful young woman.  She is undoubtedly one of the strongest young women that I have ever met, and she is also one of my personal heroes. When she had her first daughter in 2021 she named her after me, which is the highest honor I have had in my career.

HTI: If you could thank one person for mentoring you during your career, who would it be?

Gabby: I would thank prosecutor Lisa Tanner, who I worked with at the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. Lisa is one of the most brilliant legal minds I have ever encountered. Her work ethic and trial skills are unparalleled in the state of Texas, by any man or woman. She showed me that women really can do it all, and still lead with compassion and dignity. Aside from being an amazing prosecutor and boss, she is one of the kindest humans I have had the pleasure of knowing. Plus she always made us laugh and built the best camaraderie and family atmosphere in the criminal prosecutions division of the OAG when we were there.

HTI: What would you tell other women who may be thinking about a career in law?

Gabby: I would tell other women thinking about a career in law that it will not always be easy, there may be plenty of sleepless nights, tears, and frustrations, but it is also incredibly rewarding. As a lawyer, and especially a prosecutor, you have the unique opportunity to be involved in some of the hardest times a person may ever face, but you also can walk with people through those times, give them a hand to steady them, an ear to listen to their story, or a shoulder to cry on, and these can be the greatest gifts you can give another human. There truly is no other profession like this one, and I wouldn’t change a thing about my career. It has been a rollercoaster at times, but I have the most amazing group of survivors and families that I know that me being in their lives made things a little bit easier when they faced the toughest battles, and that is the greatest gift to me.