STAND FOR THE 13TH
Anti-Human Trafficking Registered Student Organization at the University of Arkansas
Slavery did not end after the 13th Amendment,
IT GREW.
About Stand for the 13th
breaking the misunderstandings of modern-day slavery, human trafficking
Stand for the 13th was founded in April of 2016 at the University of Arkansas with the goal to make a difference in the fight against human trafficking, or modern-day slavery. Our name stems from the truth that slavery did not end with the 13th Amendment. We work close with other on campus student organizations, local non-profits, and the international non-profit Operation Underground Railroad. Please email Standforthe13th@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Stand for the 13th is a Registered Student Organization, or RSO, meaning we are recognized by the University but are not an extension. Only current Arkansas students are allowed to become members, but we love to collaborate with anyone. Whether you're an organization wanting to work together on an event or someone wanting to learn more about human trafficking, get in touch with us on the contact tab above!
Meet the Team
Camille Smith
President & Founder
My name is Camille Smith and I am a current junior at the University of Arkansas studying International Studies and Spanish. I first learned about the tragedies of human trafficking when I was a sophomore in high school, and in that moment ending human trafficking became a main priority. In my opinion, human trafficking is the greatest injustice and threat to human rights we face today. I founded Stand for the 13th because of my realization that most are unaware of the facts about modern-day slavery. Countless injustices throughout history have been dramatically influenced by the concerns of citizens, and I believe the same is going to be said about human trafficking. It is Stand for the 13th's goal to become the voice for the voiceless.
Cynthia Edwards
Vice President
Cynthia Edwards
Vice President
I’m Cynthia and I am the Vice President of Stand for the 13th. I first started really learning about human trafficking though Camille in high school, and I always knew what it was but I didn’t consider the fact that it happens in my own hometown. And that is what caught my attention, and made me want to start raising awareness about the horrific truths of child slavery. Most people don’t know that it’s happening all around them, and that is just not okay. It’s not just occurring in third world countries, it’s happening in Texas and in Arkansas and all over the United States. Our goal is to get the message out there so people can know when it’s happening and how to try to prevent it. Modern day slavery is very real, and it’s very prominent, and it’s most likely happening somewhere in proximity to you. It’s time to start a change.
Grace Lillis
Membership Chair
Grace Lillis
Membership Chair
My name is Grace Lillis, I am a senior this year and I serve as the Membership Chair for Stand for the 13th. I am passionate about this organization and ending human-trafficking because everyone deserves to live a safe and happy life. This modern day slavery is unfortunately not known to a lot of the world and our hope is to change that through advocacy and fundraising--starting locally in Northwest Arkansas.
Bailey Wiggins
Communications Chair
My name is Bailey Wiggins, and I'm a junior at the University of Arkansas. I am passionate about human trafficking because I believe that every human being deserves to have rights. I am proud to be a part of Stand for the 13th, an organization founded to raise awareness and funds to end human trafficking.
Matt Osborne
Partner from O.U.R. Rescue
Stand for the 13th is incredibly honored to work closely with Matt Osborne, former CIA Officer and U.S. Diplomat. Currently, he is the Senior Vice President for Rescue and Rehabilitation for O.U.R. Rescue, which is an organization that organizes and preforms undercover rescue missions to liberate child victims of human trafficking.
Before joining the Operation Underground Railroad as its Senior Vice President for Rescue and Rehabilitation, Matt Osborne served a 12-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency and US Department of State. As an intelligence officer, Matt worked issues related to terrorism against the homeland, chemical and biological weapons programs and proliferation, and the political transition in Iraq after the fall of Saddam. He regularly provided secrets and analysis to US Presidents, senior cabinet officials, and the National Security Council.
In his role as a Foreign Service Officer and diplomat, Matt served overseas tours in Madrid, Spain, Caracas, Venezuela, and Mexico City, Mexico, where he specialized in the fight against terrorism, illegal narcotics, organized crime, and human trafficking. During these overseas tours he organized official visits for President Obama, Vice President Biden, and then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Since joining O.U.R., Matt has led a total of six undercover rescue operations that resulted in the liberation of 91 human trafficking victims and in the arrest of 27 suspected traffickers.
Matt holds a B.A. in International Studies from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and a M.A. in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California. He has been happily married for almost 19 years, and has two daughters who give him the drive to fight child exploitation and human trafficking.