Accolades for Ms. Johnson-Firth’s Public Speaking and Trainings

U.S. Department of State Program Officer:
I am writing to pass on sincere thanks and appreciation for your willingness to meet recently with participants in a U.S. Department of State sponsored International Visitor Program titled, Combating Trafficking in People. The group was delighted that you were able to meet with them and described your briefing as extremely enlightening and informative. They were struck by the engaging and candid manner in which the meeting was conducted, and cited it as one of several highlights of the Washington phase of the Program. I am certain that the visitors will long remember their visit to the United States, thanks in large measure to your efforts on their behalf. I am delighted that you were available to assist with the project and look forward to the possibility of working with you again on future U.S. Department of State sponsored International Visitor programs.

Attendee from Human Rights Law Group:
I really enjoyed your presentation today at the International Organization of Migration. For me, you communicated the scope of the [trafficking] problem and its nuances in an accessible and captivating way. Your comments regarding the competition between “employer” and employee” for a seat at the patriarchal table were particularly interesting.

President, Women’s Development Institute International:
I would like to thank you again for your help in making the of Comfort Women Then and Now seminar such a success. We were thrilled to have over 100 people in attendance, for the dinner and subsequent lecture. The stories of you work and experiences brought to life the current terrors that women around the world are facing. It was truly enlightening to have you address us at the Free Library [of Philadelphia].

President, Vital Voices:
You’re great Lisa, and taught us all a lot today.

President, Femina, Russia Vital Voices Global Partnership:
We really appreciate the contribution made by Lisa Johnson-Firth. She is a competent lawyer, a top level expert. Her participation enriched the seminar, and all our trainees are interested in our continued cooperation.

Program Associate for the NIS Region, Internews Network:
Lisa, thank you so much for helping us with our Balarusian journalists and making their training in DC a fulfilling experience. With your expertise and insight, you added tremendous substance to the technical instruction provided by our media trainer, which was absolutely wonderful in terms of giving our participants a full picture in addition to providing them with skills to cover the issue as journalists. So, many thanks, once again.

Executive Director of local immigrants’ rights center:
Lisa! What you have written is just superb! How can we publish some of this? We should consider writing an article based on how to provide such legal services, as it would attract national attention. Don’t get tired of my expression of my expression of appreciation, I feel it from the bottom of my heart.

DVRP Executive Director:
Thank you for presenting at DVRP’S Advocates Program training. The information you provided was invaluable and will ensure that our advocates will provide quality services to community members. We look forward to working with you in the future.

Amnesty International Coordinator:
Lisa, thank you so much for coming all the way up here for our event! We were so happy you came and served as a discussant for our Q&A session. I’m still reeling from the event. SO MANY PEOPLE! I counted 60 who stayed for the discussion – for us, that alone is a pretty big event. I’m also really glad that our Amnesty Stop Violence Against Women Coordinator got a chance to meet you. She came to our meeting the week after you presented and was just astonished at the crimes against women around the world such as acid burnings, rapes, sexual crimes, honor killings, etc. She has turned the information into really positive, creative energy. I think especially after the event and meeting you she will feel like she is part of a big, successful movement. You not only contributed to a terrific event – one of our best ever, if not our best – but you also helped strengthen our group internally and promote us to the university community. Thank you, so much.

Student participant in seminar on trafficking:
I just wanted to say thank you for coming to speak with our class, all I have been thinking about is what I can do to help. I think I did a good job at not crying last night but it was hard. I spend a lot of time online, so I can get the word out that way. So thank you for making me aware of the international slavery issue. I really had no idea that was going on. So thanks again for opening my eyes to a whole new outlook.

Student participant in seminar on trafficking:
Ms. Johnson-Firth, I am originally for West Africa and I am student from the Northern VA Community College. You presented in my domestic violence class last Thursday and I was simply amazed by the whole presentation. You captivated my attention as soon as you spoke and it was actually one of the best presentations I have ever attended.

Domestic violence advocate, ACTS/Turning Points:
I wanted to thank you again for presenting for today’s Brown Bag lunch. You have a marvelous way of stringing thoughts together for maximum impact… while creating buy-in! Needless to say I am so pleased…and believe that your talk will have lasting impact.

Adjunct Professor, retired police officer, Northern VA Community College:
Once more an outstanding presentation! Your topics are always eye opening, watching student faces it was apparent some were shocked. I hope you will continue to do these presentations. Thank you so much for taking the time to came and speak to my Domestic Violence Class.

Director, Eastern Regional Office of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights:
Dear Ms. Johnson-Firth: On behalf of the Virginia Advisory Committee and the Eastern Regional Office of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, thank you for appearing before the Committee’s public briefing on the Prince William Resolution on Illegal Immigration-held on December 14, 2007. The proceedings established an important record on this matter, and helped to highlight the need to establish policies and practices that are non discriminatory. Thank you again for you contribution to this review.

Director of Training, Amnesty International USA:
I want to say thank you very much for your role as a panelist for Amnesty’s Youth Activist Kollege 2005. I want to take this opportunity to recognize the role you played in making the program such a success. With your help in the Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Panel the participants acquired a lasting appreciation for Amnesty International’s work, as well as the motivation and skills to be leaders in their local AIUSA chapters. Your contribution is recognized by the staff of the National Training Program.

PLEN participant:
Dear Ms. Lisa Johnson-Firth,
Thank you so much for taking the time to grace the Public Leadership Education Network participants with your presence. I have acquired so much more knowledge in foreign affairs from your presentation. I am indebted to you for that.