Trenton & Downriver Area Soroptimists' "Battle for Freedom"

A sold-out audience of 620 attendees agreed that this gala was an event to remember. Soroptimist International of Trenton and Downriver Area hosted its fourth biennial “Battle for Freedom” on Saturday, January 27, 2024. This avant-garde hair and fashion show, entitled “Color Me Free,” showcased local salon stylists who dressed, designed hair, and applied make-up to models for the audience to vote for them as the best-styled in their chosen color theme.

The proceeds from “Battle for Freedom: Color Me Free” will be used for service projects and programs to benefit survivors of human trafficking. SI of Trenton and Downriver Area is partnering with Sparrow Freedom Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is building a survivor-led community supporting and empowering exploited and trafficked
individuals to achieve independence through services and prevention. Three guest speakers from the Sparrow Freedom project shared their experiences with the audience. There are 27.6 million trafficking victims worldwide, with at least 20,000 sex slaves under age eighteen in the United States. Only one of every one hundred is rescued. Michigan is a hub for sex trafficking and is
rated second in the nation. Detroit is ranked as having one of the highest numbers of sex trafficking victims and is included in a global epidemic that annually nets over $150 billion. Online recruitment accounts for 65% of reported cases.

Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort Street in Southgate, was the venue for this fundraising affair.
Included in ticket prices were dinner, a runway show, music, basket raffles, wine, and a cash bar with a signature cocktail, and an after-show party. Participating salons were Aubrey Beauty Salon, Riverview; Glow Hair Salon, Trenton; Instinct Salon, Flat Rock; Daybreak Salon, Wyandotte; Sterling Hair Co., Taylor; The Mane Salon, Flat Rock; and Naomi Trotto from Bell Amore Salon,
Shelby Township.

After all the votes were counted, Sterling Hair Co. was the crowd favorite with their chosen green color, and Aubrey Salon of Riverview was announced as the 2024 winner for their Barbie-themed pink color.

The success of “Battle for Freedom: Color Me Free” was due to the many people and businesses who contributed and/or donated their time, talent, and finances. SI of Trenton and Downriver Area thank Roger Roehls and Crystal Gardens Banquet Center; Freesia Collective for the floral bouquets; Flow Video; DJ and emcee Tim Montemayor of TJ Monte Productions; Discount Drinks for the wine bar; a cappella group 2nd Street Sound of Wyandotte; GOTOX Aesthetics & Wellness
for the $1800 raffle basket; artists Catherine Infantado and Amber Spino; Kallas Restaurant Accounting; Iron Bandogs Central – the Roadhouse; Grosse Ile Island Goods; Michigan Athletics, Detroit Tigers; Detroit Red Wings; Detroit Lions; Detroit Pistons; MJR Digital Cinema; Planet Rock; Monat Products and Raquel Reschke; Belle Tire; Lakes of Taylor Golf Club; Kendra Scott; and
sponsors Corewell Health, Allen Park Family Physicians, and Advantage One Credit Union.

A Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium hosted by SI of Trenton and Downriver Area is scheduled for March 23, 2024, at Summit Academy North. Police, social workers, school counselors, and parents are encouraged to attend.

Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimist is a volunteer group that offers service by way of fundraising and donations, public awareness/educational programs, and hands-on assistance; as well as presenting yearly monetary awards to individuals to help support and further their future.
These women give their time and talents to local food pantries, Vista Maria, First Step, Sparrow Project, Stanford House, Alternatives for Girls, and to area women’s health institutions. They host annual charity fundraisers and programs such as “Save the Girls” motorcycle ride, “Save the Girls” charity golf outing, and the “Dream It, Be It” program for adolescent girls.

You can help improve the lives of women and girls in the Trenton and Downriver Areas and around the world by donating to Soroptimist International of Trenton and Downriver Area. Your donation will help fund our service projects. This is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Make an online donation via Venmo or by sending a check to Soroptimist International of Trenton and Downriver Area, 1644 Vernon, Trenton, MI 48183.

The Trenton Soroptimist organization meets at 6:30 P.M. on the first Wednesday of the month at the Woodhaven Community Center. All women are welcome to attend. You may contribute to the foundation that the Soroptimists support on krogercommunityrewards.com. If you are interested in learning more about the Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimists and our other activities, contact us at sioftrentonanddownriverarea@gmail.com or check out our page on Facebook@SoroptimistInternationalOfTrentonAndDownriverArea. Please check Facebook for past event photos at facebook.com/BattleForFreedom.