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|website    = {{URL|elizabethsmart.com}}
|website    = {{URL|elizabethsmart.com}}
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'''Elizabeth Ann Gilmour''' ([[née]] '''Smart'''; born November 3, 1987)<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 13, 2022 |title=Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/us/elizabeth-smart-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=October 27, 2022}}</ref> is an American child safety activist and commentator for [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smolowe |first=Jill |date=June 6, 2011 |title=Elizabeth Smart: 'I Forgive Him' |url=https://people.com/archive/elizabeth-smart-i-forgive-him-vol-75-no-22/ |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> She gained national attention at age 14 when she was [[Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart|abducted from her home]] in [[Salt Lake City]] by Brian David Mitchell. Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, held Smart captive for nine months until she was rescued by police officers on a street in [[Sandy, Utah]].
'''Elizabeth Ann Gilmour''' ([[née]] '''Smart'''; born November 3, 1987)<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 13, 2022 |title=Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/us/elizabeth-smart-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=October 27, 2022}}</ref> is an American child safety activist and commentator for [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smolowe |first=Jill |date=June 6, 2011 |title=Elizabeth Smart: 'I Forgive Him' |url=https://people.com/archive/elizabeth-smart-i-forgive-him-vol-75-no-22/ |access-date=October 10, 2017 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> She gained national attention at age 14 when she was [[Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart|abducted from her home]] in [[Salt Lake City]] by [[Brian David Mitchell]]. Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, held Smart captive for nine months until she was rescued by police officers on a street in [[Sandy, Utah]].


Smart has since gone on to work as an activist and [[Advocacy|advocate]] for missing persons and speaking out against abstinence-only education.<ref name="NBC News-2013">{{Cite web |date=2013-05-06 |title=Elizabeth Smart: Abstinence-only education can make rape survivors feel 'dirty,' 'filthy' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna51793513 |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Her life and abduction have been the subject of numerous non-fiction books and films.
Smart has since gone on to work as an activist and [[Advocacy|advocate]] for missing persons and speaking out against abstinence-only education.<ref name="NBC News-2013">{{Cite web |date=2013-05-06 |title=Elizabeth Smart: Abstinence-only education can make rape survivors feel 'dirty,' 'filthy' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna51793513 |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Her life and abduction have been the subject of numerous non-fiction books and films.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Elizabeth Ann Smart was born on November 3, 1987, in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], to Edward "Ed" and Lois Smart. Her family was part of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].<ref>{{cite web|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/01/01/258687244/elizabeth-smart-shares-about-her-faith-and-kidnapping|title=Elizabeth Smart Shares About Her Faith And Kidnapping|series=Tell Me More|date=December 31, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2017}}</ref> She is the second-oldest child in her family; she has four brothers and one sister. Smart attended [[Salt Lake City School District|Bryant Middle School]] and [[East High School (Salt Lake City)|East High School]] in Salt Lake City. She later enrolled in [[Brigham Young University]], where she earned her [[Bachelor of Music]] in [[harp]] performance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/10/21/gone-girl-2 |title=Gone Girl |last=Talbot |first=Margaret |date=October 21, 2013 |website=newyorker.com |publisher=New Yorker}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/05/elizabeth-smart-honored-for-legacy-of-hope/ |title=Elizabeth Smart honored for 'Legacy of Hope' |last=Hanson |first=Kurt |date=November 5, 2012 |website=universe.byu.edu}}</ref>
Elizabeth Ann Smart was born on November 3, 1987, in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], to Edward "Ed" and Lois Smart. Her family was part of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].<ref>{{cite web|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/01/01/258687244/elizabeth-smart-shares-about-her-faith-and-kidnapping|title=Elizabeth Smart Shares About Her Faith And Kidnapping|series=Tell Me More|date=December 31, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2017}}</ref> She is the second-oldest child in her family; she has four brothers and one sister. Smart attended [[Salt Lake City School District|Bryant Middle School]] and [[East High School (Salt Lake City)|East High School]] in Salt Lake City. She later enrolled in [[Brigham Young University]], where she earned her [[Bachelor of Music]] in [[harp]] performance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/10/21/gone-girl-2 |title=Gone Girl |last=Talbot |first=Margaret |date=October 21, 2013 |website=newyorker.com |publisher=New Yorker}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/05/elizabeth-smart-honored-for-legacy-of-hope/ |title=Elizabeth Smart honored for 'Legacy of Hope' |last=Hanson |first=Kurt |date=November 5, 2012 |website=universe.byu.edu |access-date=December 29, 2016 |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011073759/http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/05/elizabeth-smart-honored-for-legacy-of-hope/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Kidnapping==
==Kidnapping==
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Smart's uncle, Tom Smart, and author [[Lee Benson]] wrote a book about the search for Smart, ''In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation''. Her father wrote another book about Smart's kidnapping, called ''Bringing Elizabeth Home''. A television movie, ''[[The Elizabeth Smart Story]]'', was made in 2003, based on the book by Smart's father.
Smart's uncle, Tom Smart, and author [[Lee Benson]] wrote a book about the search for Smart, ''In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation''. Her father wrote another book about Smart's kidnapping, called ''Bringing Elizabeth Home''. A television movie, ''[[The Elizabeth Smart Story]]'', was made in 2003, based on the book by Smart's father.


On March 8, 2006, Smart spoke before the [[United States Congress]] to support [[sexual predator]] legislation and the [[AMBER Alert]] system. On July 26, 2006, she spoke at an event held following the signing of the [[Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act|Adam Walsh Act]]. Smart was one of five recovered young adults who contributed entries to the 2008 book ''You're Not Alone'', which was published by the [[U.S. Department of Justice]]. She appeared at a May 2008 event promoting the book.<ref>{{cite web|title=''You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment''|url=https://www.ojjdp.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=244130|publisher=[[Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention]]|access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/05/smart.cnna/index.html |access-date=May 20, 2008 |title= Elizabeth Smart hopes to aid victims |publisher=CNN }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700227525,00.html |access-date=May 20, 2008 |first=Pat |last=Reavy |date=May 20, 2008 |title=Elizabeth Smart: Ready for college and moving on after kidnapping |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521014443/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700227525,00.html |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2009, Smart commented on the [[kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard]]. She shared that, in her own experience of recovering from trauma, she had found dwelling on the past to be unproductive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oh |first=Eunice |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Elizabeth Smart's Advice to Jaycee Dugard: Move Forward in Life |url=https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smarts-advice-to-jaycee-dugard-move-forward-in-life/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217191708/https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smarts-advice-to-jaycee-dugard-move-forward-in-life/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Frank |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Kidnap Victim Elizabeth Smart Gives Jaycee Dugard Advice |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2009/08/kidnap_victim_elizabeth_smarts.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref>
On March 8, 2006, Smart spoke before the [[United States Congress]] to support [[sexual predator]] legislation and the [[Amber alert]] system. On July 26, 2006, she spoke at an event held following the signing of the [[Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act|Adam Walsh Act]]. Smart was one of five recovered young adults who contributed entries to the 2008 book ''You're Not Alone'', which was published by the [[U.S. Department of Justice]]. She appeared at a May 2008 event promoting the book.<ref>{{cite web|title=''You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment''|url=https://www.ojjdp.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=244130|publisher=[[Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention]]|access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/05/smart.cnna/index.html |access-date=May 20, 2008 |title= Elizabeth Smart hopes to aid victims |publisher=CNN }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700227525,00.html |access-date=May 20, 2008 |first=Pat |last=Reavy |date=May 20, 2008 |title=Elizabeth Smart: Ready for college and moving on after kidnapping |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521014443/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700227525,00.html |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2009, Smart commented on the [[kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard]]. She shared that, in her own experience of recovering from trauma, she had found dwelling on the past to be unproductive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oh |first=Eunice |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Elizabeth Smart's Advice to Jaycee Dugard: Move Forward in Life |url=https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smarts-advice-to-jaycee-dugard-move-forward-in-life/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217191708/https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smarts-advice-to-jaycee-dugard-move-forward-in-life/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Frank |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Kidnap Victim Elizabeth Smart Gives Jaycee Dugard Advice |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2009/08/kidnap_victim_elizabeth_smarts.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref>


In October 2009, Smart spoke at the 2009 [[Women's Conference]] in California (hosted by [[Maria Shriver]]) on the topic of overcoming obstacles in life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.womensconference.org/elizabeth-smart |access-date=March 14, 2010 |title=The Women's Conference hosted by California's First Lady |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416100743/http://www.womensconference.org/elizabeth-smart |archive-date=April 16, 2013 }}</ref> In 2011, Smart founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation,<ref name="facts">{{cite web |date=October 31, 2017 |title=Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/us/elizabeth-smart-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=November 18, 2017 |work=CNN}}</ref> which aims to bring hope and end the victimization and exploitation of sexual assault through prevention, recovery, and advocacy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elizabethsmartfoundation.org/ |title=Home |website=elizabethsmartfoundation.org}}</ref> In March 2011, Smart was one of four women awarded the [[Diane von Furstenberg Award]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-elizabeth-smart-dvf-award_n_834874 |title=Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Smart Honored By Diane Von Furstenberg |access-date=November 1, 2021 |work=HuffPost |first=Hilary |last=Moss |date=March 12, 2011}}</ref> On July 7, 2011, [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] announced that she would work as a commentator for them, mainly focusing on missing persons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dobner|first1=Jennifer|title=Elizabeth Smart to work as ABC commentator|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-elizabeth-smart-to-work-as-abc-commentator-2011jul07-story.html|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=July 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Lois M.|title=Elizabeth Smart to join ABC for missing-persons insight|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/7/7/20202414/elizabeth-smart-to-join-abc-for-missing-persons-insight|access-date=November 1, 2021|work=[[Deseret News]]|date=July 7, 2011}}</ref>
In October 2009, Smart spoke at the 2009 [[Women's Conference]] in California (hosted by [[Maria Shriver]]) on the topic of overcoming obstacles in life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.womensconference.org/elizabeth-smart |access-date=March 14, 2010 |title=The Women's Conference hosted by California's First Lady |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416100743/http://www.womensconference.org/elizabeth-smart |archive-date=April 16, 2013 }}</ref> In 2011, Smart founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation,<ref name="facts">{{cite web |date=October 31, 2017 |title=Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/us/elizabeth-smart-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=November 18, 2017 |work=CNN}}</ref> which aims to bring hope and end the victimization and exploitation of sexual assault through prevention, recovery, and advocacy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elizabethsmartfoundation.org/ |title=Home |website=elizabethsmartfoundation.org}}</ref> In March 2011, Smart was one of four women awarded the [[Diane von Furstenberg Award]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-elizabeth-smart-dvf-award_n_834874 |title=Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Smart Honored By Diane Von Furstenberg |access-date=November 1, 2021 |work=HuffPost |first=Hilary |last=Moss |date=March 12, 2011}}</ref> On July 7, 2011, [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] announced that she would work as a commentator for them, mainly focusing on missing persons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dobner|first1=Jennifer|title=Elizabeth Smart to work as ABC commentator|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-elizabeth-smart-to-work-as-abc-commentator-2011jul07-story.html|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=July 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Lois M.|title=Elizabeth Smart to join ABC for missing-persons insight|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/7/7/20202414/elizabeth-smart-to-join-abc-for-missing-persons-insight|access-date=November 1, 2021|work=[[Deseret News]]|date=July 7, 2011}}</ref>


In July 2012, [[Theta Phi Alpha]] National Fraternity honored Smart with the [[Siena Medal]] award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetaphialpha.org/about/award-recipients/siena-medalists|title=Siena Medalists {{!}} Theta Phi Alpha|website=www.thetaphialpha.org|access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> The medal is the highest honor the organization bestows upon a non-member. They named it after their patroness, [[St. Catherine of Siena]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetaphialpha.org/awards|title=Awards Recipients {{!}} Theta Phi Alpha|website=www.thetaphialpha.org|access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
In July 2012, [[Theta Phi Alpha]] honored Smart with the [[Siena Medal]] award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetaphialpha.org/about/award-recipients/siena-medalists|title=Siena Medalists {{!}} Theta Phi Alpha|website=www.thetaphialpha.org|access-date=December 12, 2019|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163402/https://www.thetaphialpha.org/about/award-recipients/siena-medalists|url-status=dead}}</ref> The medal, named after their patroness [[St. Catherine of Siena]], is the highest honor the organization bestows upon a non-member.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetaphialpha.org/awards|title=Awards Recipients {{!}} Theta Phi Alpha|website=www.thetaphialpha.org|access-date=December 12, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115193950/https://www.thetaphialpha.org/awards|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On May 1, 2013, in a speech at a [[human trafficking]] conference at [[Johns Hopkins University]], Smart discussed the need to emphasize individual self-worth in fighting human trafficking and the importance of dispelling cultural myths surrounding girls' [[Virginity#Cultural value|loss of value upon sexual contact]]. Having been raped by her captor, she recalled the destructive impact of exposure to abstinence-only sexual education programs such as those stressed in her Mormon faith.<ref name="NBC News-2013" />
On May 1, 2013, in a speech at a [[human trafficking]] conference at [[Johns Hopkins University]], Smart discussed the need to emphasize individual self-worth in fighting human trafficking and the importance of dispelling cultural myths surrounding girls' [[Virginity#Cultural value|loss of value upon sexual contact]]. Having been raped by her captor, she recalled the destructive impact of exposure to abstinence-only sexual education programs such as those stressed in her Mormon faith.<ref name="NBC News-2013" />
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In October 2013, ''My Story'', a [[memoir]] of Smart's experience co-written with [[Chris Stewart (politician)|Chris Stewart]], was published by [[St. Martin's Press]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Leslie|date=November 20, 2012|title=Elizabeth Smart Memoir of Her Captivity Is Acquired by St. Martin's|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/elizabeth-smart-memoir-of-her-captivity-is-acquired-by-st-martins/|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref> The book details both Smart's kidnapping and the formation of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which works to promote awareness about abductions.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Associated Press|date=November 23, 2012|title=Congressman-elect writing Elizabeth Smart's memoir|url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/11/23/20510211/congressman-elect-writing-elizabeth-smart-s-memoir|access-date=October 9, 2013|publisher=Deseretnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Foy|first=Paul|date=October 7, 2013|title=Elizabeth Smart details experience in Memoir|url=https://www.deseret.com/2013/10/7/20458182/elizabeth-smart-details-kidnapping-in-new-memoir|access-date=November 1, 2021|publisher=Deseretnews.com}}</ref> Smart has played the [[harp]] on national television in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 5, 2013|title=Elizabeth Plays The Harp|work=[[NBC News]]|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/53191726/#53191726|access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref>
In October 2013, ''My Story'', a [[memoir]] of Smart's experience co-written with [[Chris Stewart (politician)|Chris Stewart]], was published by [[St. Martin's Press]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Leslie|date=November 20, 2012|title=Elizabeth Smart Memoir of Her Captivity Is Acquired by St. Martin's|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/elizabeth-smart-memoir-of-her-captivity-is-acquired-by-st-martins/|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref> The book details both Smart's kidnapping and the formation of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which works to promote awareness about abductions.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Associated Press|date=November 23, 2012|title=Congressman-elect writing Elizabeth Smart's memoir|url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/11/23/20510211/congressman-elect-writing-elizabeth-smart-s-memoir|access-date=October 9, 2013|publisher=Deseretnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Foy|first=Paul|date=October 7, 2013|title=Elizabeth Smart details experience in Memoir|url=https://www.deseret.com/2013/10/7/20458182/elizabeth-smart-details-kidnapping-in-new-memoir|access-date=November 1, 2021|publisher=Deseretnews.com}}</ref> Smart has played the [[harp]] on national television in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 5, 2013|title=Elizabeth Plays The Harp|work=[[NBC News]]|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/53191726/#53191726|access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref>


In February 2014, Smart testified before the [[Utah State House of Representatives]] in favor of HB 286. The bill would create an optional curriculum for use in Utah schools to provide training on child sexual abuse prevention.<ref>{{citation |title= Elizabeth Smart backs bill on child sexual abuse prevention training in schools |url= https://www.deseret.com/2014/2/19/20535738/elizabeth-smart-backs-bill-on-child-sexual-abuse-prevention-training-in-schools|newspaper= Deseret News |first= Madeleine |last= Brown |date= February 19, 2014|access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref> In early 2015, Faith Counts featured Smart in a video in which she explains how her religion sustained her through her ordeal and helped her heal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Multi-faith Initiative Viewed by Millions— Faith Counts releases new video featuring Elizabeth Smart|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/multi-faith-initiative-viewed-by-millions|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=Newsroom|publisher=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]|date=February 6, 2015}}</ref> As of September 2016, Smart is a correspondent for the true-crime show ''[[Crime Watch Daily]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fox13now.com/2016/09/15/elizabeth-smart-returns-for-season-two-of-crime-watch-daily-with-chris-hansen/|title=Elizabeth Smart returns for season two of 'Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen'|date=September 15, 2016|website=fox13now.com|language=en|access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref> Various state politicians have proposed bills that would require all computers to have a pornography filter, branding it the "Elizabeth Smart Law." However, in March 2018, her spokesman denied her relationship to the proposal. Her lawyer sent a [[cease and desist]] letter to the politicians in which they were ordered not to use her name.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/elizabeth-smart-wants-her-name-removed-from-anti-porn-bill/2018/03/26/31a6d1a2-311b-11e8-b6bd-0084a1666987_story.html Elizabeth Smart demands porn bill backer stop using her name] - Michelle R. Smith, The Washington Post / AP, March 26, 2018</ref>
In February 2014, Smart testified before the [[Utah State House of Representatives]] in favor of HB 286. The bill would create an optional curriculum for use in Utah schools to provide training on [[child sexual abuse]] prevention.<ref>{{citation |title= Elizabeth Smart backs bill on child sexual abuse prevention training in schools |url= https://www.deseret.com/2014/2/19/20535738/elizabeth-smart-backs-bill-on-child-sexual-abuse-prevention-training-in-schools|newspaper= Deseret News |first= Madeleine |last= Brown |date= February 19, 2014|access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref> In early 2015, Faith Counts featured Smart in a video in which she explains how her religion sustained her through her ordeal and helped her heal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Multi-faith Initiative Viewed by Millions— Faith Counts releases new video featuring Elizabeth Smart|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/multi-faith-initiative-viewed-by-millions|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=Newsroom|publisher=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]|date=February 6, 2015}}</ref> As of September 2016, Smart is a correspondent for the true-crime show ''[[Crime Watch Daily]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fox13now.com/2016/09/15/elizabeth-smart-returns-for-season-two-of-crime-watch-daily-with-chris-hansen/|title=Elizabeth Smart returns for season two of 'Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen'|date=September 15, 2016|website=fox13now.com|language=en|access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref> Various state politicians have proposed bills that would require all computers to have a pornography filter, branding it the "Elizabeth Smart Law." However, in March 2018, her spokesman denied her relationship to the proposal. Her lawyer sent a [[cease and desist]] letter to the politicians in which they were ordered not to use her name.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/elizabeth-smart-wants-her-name-removed-from-anti-porn-bill/2018/03/26/31a6d1a2-311b-11e8-b6bd-0084a1666987_story.html Elizabeth Smart demands porn bill backer stop using her name] - Michelle R. Smith, The Washington Post / AP, March 26, 2018</ref>


On June 5, 2017, on the 15th anniversary of her abduction, [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] aired the made-for-TV film titled ''[[I Am Elizabeth Smart]]'', narrated and produced by Smart, which tells the story of her kidnapping from her perspective. The film starred [[Alana Boden]] as Elizabeth Smart, [[Skeet Ulrich]] as Brian David Mitchell, [[Deirdre Lovejoy]] as Wanda Ileen Barzee, [[George Newbern]] as Ed Smart, and Anne Openshaw as Lois Smart.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Saraiya|first=Sonia|date=November 17, 2017|title=Lifetime's 'I Am Elizabeth Smart'|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/|url-status=live|department=TV Reviews|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171126153148/http://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/|archive-date=November 26, 2017|access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> In 2018, Smart published ''Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up'' with [[St. Martin's Press]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smart|first1=Elizabeth A.|title=Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up|date=March 27, 2018|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1250115522|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Smart|first1=Elizabeth A.|date=March 27, 2018|title=Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-theres-hope-elizabeth-a-smart/1126613159?type=eBook|access-date=July 8, 2018|website=Barnes & Noble|language=en}}</ref>
On June 5, 2017, on the 15th anniversary of her abduction, [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] aired the made-for-TV film titled ''[[I Am Elizabeth Smart]]'', narrated and produced by Smart, which tells the story of her kidnapping from her perspective. The film starred [[Alana Boden]] as Elizabeth Smart, [[Skeet Ulrich]] as Brian David Mitchell, [[Deirdre Lovejoy]] as Wanda Ileen Barzee, [[George Newbern]] as Ed Smart, and Anne Openshaw as Lois Smart.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Saraiya|first=Sonia|date=November 17, 2017|title=Lifetime's 'I Am Elizabeth Smart'|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/|url-status=live|department=TV Reviews|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171126153148/http://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/|archive-date=November 26, 2017|access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> She has subsequently produced other Lifetime features, including ''Stolen By Their Father'' (about Lizbeth Meredith's plans to reclaim her daughters after being kept in Greece by Meredith's ex-husband Greg),<ref>{{cite news |title=Lizbeth Meredith Now: "Stolen by Their Father" Subject Shares Story |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/lizbeth-meredith-now}}</ref> ''The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story'' (which detailed the abduction of Kara Robinson at the hands of [[Richard Evonitz]]),<ref>{{cite web |last=Rice |first=Lynnette |date=January 4, 2023 |title=Lifetime Partners Again with Elizabeth Smart on "The Kara Robinson Story" |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/lifetime-elizabeth-smart-the-kara-robinson-story-1235210908/ |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=Deadline}}</ref> ''Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story'' (which detailed the kidnapping of Elizabeth Thomas),<ref>{{cite news |last=Melendez |first=Miguel A. |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Elizabeth Thomas Reflects on Being Abducted by Her Teacher, Getting Closure |url=https://www.etonline.com/interview-elizabeth-thomas-reflects-on-being-abducted-by-her-teacher-getting-closure-exclusive-209634 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |work=ET Online}}</ref> and ''The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story'' (which detailed the [[kidnapping of Tanya Nicole Kach]]).<ref>{{cite web |last=Baker |first=KC |date=April 12, 2024 |title=Lifetime Teams Up with Elizabeth Smart for New Movie on Tanya Kach, Who Was Held Captive by School Security Guard |url=https://people.com/lifetime-elizabeth-smart-new-movie-tanya-kach-held-captive-by-school-security-guard-8629831 |access-date=June 8, 2024 |website=People}}</ref>


In 2021, Smart competed on ''[[The Masked Dancer (American TV series)|The Masked Dancer]]'' as "Moth". She was eliminated during the third episode of the series, placing eighth overall in the competition.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Rachel Yang|date=January 13, 2021|title=''The Masked Dancer'' recap: Moth flies away, revealed as famed activist|url=https://ew.com/tv/recaps/masked-dancer-season-1-episode-3/|access-date=January 14, 2021|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
In 2018, Smart published ''Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up'' with [[St. Martin's Press]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smart|first1=Elizabeth A.|title=Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up|date=March 27, 2018|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1250115522|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Smart|first1=Elizabeth A.|date=March 27, 2018|title=Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-theres-hope-elizabeth-a-smart/1126613159?type=eBook|access-date=July 8, 2018|website=Barnes & Noble|language=en}}</ref>


In 2022, Elizabeth Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie ''Stolen By Their Father'' as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which talked about Lizbeth Meredith's plans to reclaim her daughters after being kept in Greece by Meredith's ex-husband Greg during their visit to him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/lizbeth-meredith-now|title=Lizbeth Meredith Now: "Stolen by Their Father" Subject Shares Story}}</ref>
In 2019, Smart, and numerous other high-profile female kidnapping survivors, participated in the Lifetime documentary ''Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case'', which touches on the 2018 kidnapping of Wisconsin teenager [[Kidnapping of Jayme Closs|Jayme Closs]], and the murders of her parents. Smart and the other women offer their perspectives on how Jayme can heal and recover.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sarner |first=Lauren |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Elizabeth Smart: I didn't want my Jayme Closs Lifetime special to be 'exploitative' |url=https://nypost.com/2019/04/26/elizabeth-smart-i-didnt-want-my-jayme-closs-lifetime-special-to-be-exploitative/ |access-date=July 8, 2025 |work=[[New York Post]]}}</ref>


In 2023, Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie ''The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story'' as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which detailed the abduction of Kara Robinson at the hands of [[Richard Evonitz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/lifetime-elizabeth-smart-the-kara-robinson-story-1235210908/|title=Lifetime Partners Again with Elizabeth Smart on "The Kara Robinson Story"|website=Deadline|first=Lynnette|last=Rice|date=January 4, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023}}</ref> She was later the executive producer of ''Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story'' as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which detailed the kidnapping of Elizabeth Thomas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.etonline.com/interview-elizabeth-thomas-reflects-on-being-abducted-by-her-teacher-getting-closure-exclusive-209634|title=Elizabeth Thomas Reflects on Being Abducted by Her Teacher, Getting Closure|work=ET Online|first=Miguel A.|last=Melendez|date=August 11, 2023|access-date=August 12, 2023}}</ref>
In 2021, Smart competed on ''[[The Masked Dancer (American TV series)|The Masked Dancer]]'' as "Moth". She was eliminated during the third episode of the series, placing eighth overall in the competition.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Rachel Yang|date=January 13, 2021|title=''The Masked Dancer'' recap: Moth flies away, revealed as famed activist|url=https://ew.com/tv/recaps/masked-dancer-season-1-episode-3/|access-date=January 14, 2021|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
 
In 2024, Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie ''The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story'' as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which detailed the [[kidnapping of Tanya Nicole Kach]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/lifetime-elizabeth-smart-new-movie-tanya-kach-held-captive-by-school-security-guard-8629831|title=Lifetime Teams Up with Elizabeth Smart for New Movie on Tanya Kach, Who Was Held Captive by School Security Guard|website=People|first=KC|last=Baker|date=April 12, 2024|access-date=June 8, 2024}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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[[Category:Sexual abuse victim advocates]]
[[Category:Sexual abuse victim advocates]]
[[Category:Writers from Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Writers from Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Memoirists from Utah]]
[[Category:Writers from Utah]]
[[Category:East High School (Utah) alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century American women]]

Latest revision as of 01:42, 23 October 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Other people". Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image Elizabeth Ann Gilmour (née Smart; born November 3, 1987)[1] is an American child safety activist and commentator for ABC News.[2] She gained national attention at age 14 when she was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City by Brian David Mitchell. Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, held Smart captive for nine months until she was rescued by police officers on a street in Sandy, Utah.

Smart has since gone on to work as an activist and advocate for missing persons and speaking out against abstinence-only education.[3] Her life and abduction have been the subject of numerous non-fiction books and films.

Early life

Elizabeth Ann Smart was born on November 3, 1987, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Edward "Ed" and Lois Smart. Her family was part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4] She is the second-oldest child in her family; she has four brothers and one sister. Smart attended Bryant Middle School and East High School in Salt Lake City. She later enrolled in Brigham Young University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in harp performance.[5][6]

Kidnapping

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Smart was abducted at knifepoint from her bedroom in her family's house in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the next nine months, she was raped daily, tied up, and threatened with death if she attempted to escape.[7] She was rescued by police officers on March 12, 2003, on a public street in Sandy, Utah, Template:Convert from her home. Two witnesses recognized abductors Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee from an America's Most Wanted episode.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

On November 16, 2009, Barzee pled guilty to assisting in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors.[8] On May 19, 2010, federal Judge Dale A. Kimball sentenced Barzee to 15 years in federal prison. As part of a plea deal between the defense and federal prosecutors, he gave Barzee credit for seven years that she had already served.[9] The court found Mitchell competent to stand trial for kidnapping and sexual assault charges. He was found guilty on both counts and sentenced in May 2011 to two life terms in federal prison.[10]

Activism and media coverage

File:Elizabeth Smart White House.jpg
Elizabeth Smart (center) and her mother Lois meet with President George W. Bush in the Roosevelt Room at the signing of the PROTECT Act of 2003
File:Elizabeth Smart Speaks About Overcoming Trauma.jpg
Smart in 2012

Smart's uncle, Tom Smart, and author Lee Benson wrote a book about the search for Smart, In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation. Her father wrote another book about Smart's kidnapping, called Bringing Elizabeth Home. A television movie, The Elizabeth Smart Story, was made in 2003, based on the book by Smart's father.

On March 8, 2006, Smart spoke before the United States Congress to support sexual predator legislation and the Amber alert system. On July 26, 2006, she spoke at an event held following the signing of the Adam Walsh Act. Smart was one of five recovered young adults who contributed entries to the 2008 book You're Not Alone, which was published by the U.S. Department of Justice. She appeared at a May 2008 event promoting the book.[11][12][13] In 2009, Smart commented on the kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard. She shared that, in her own experience of recovering from trauma, she had found dwelling on the past to be unproductive.[14][15]

In October 2009, Smart spoke at the 2009 Women's Conference in California (hosted by Maria Shriver) on the topic of overcoming obstacles in life.[16] In 2011, Smart founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation,[17] which aims to bring hope and end the victimization and exploitation of sexual assault through prevention, recovery, and advocacy.[18] In March 2011, Smart was one of four women awarded the Diane von Furstenberg Award.[19] On July 7, 2011, ABC News announced that she would work as a commentator for them, mainly focusing on missing persons.[20][21]

In July 2012, Theta Phi Alpha honored Smart with the Siena Medal award.[22] The medal, named after their patroness St. Catherine of Siena, is the highest honor the organization bestows upon a non-member.[23]

On May 1, 2013, in a speech at a human trafficking conference at Johns Hopkins University, Smart discussed the need to emphasize individual self-worth in fighting human trafficking and the importance of dispelling cultural myths surrounding girls' loss of value upon sexual contact. Having been raped by her captor, she recalled the destructive impact of exposure to abstinence-only sexual education programs such as those stressed in her Mormon faith.[3]

Many of them teach that a sexually active girl is akin to a chewed piece of gum. "I thought, 'Oh, my gosh, I'm that chewed up piece of gum, nobody re-chews a piece of gum, you throw it away.' And that's how easy it is to feel like you no longer have worth, you no longer have value," Smart said. "Why would it even be worth screaming out? Why would it even make a difference if you are rescued? Your life still has no value." Smart went on to ask that listeners educate children on having self-worth, avoiding viewing themselves as victims.[24][25]

Smart described suicidal thoughts after the first of many rapes by her captor saying "I felt like I wasn't even human anymore."[3]

In October 2013, My Story, a memoir of Smart's experience co-written with Chris Stewart, was published by St. Martin's Press.[26] The book details both Smart's kidnapping and the formation of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which works to promote awareness about abductions.[27][28] Smart has played the harp on national television in the United States.[29]

In February 2014, Smart testified before the Utah State House of Representatives in favor of HB 286. The bill would create an optional curriculum for use in Utah schools to provide training on child sexual abuse prevention.[30] In early 2015, Faith Counts featured Smart in a video in which she explains how her religion sustained her through her ordeal and helped her heal.[31] As of September 2016, Smart is a correspondent for the true-crime show Crime Watch Daily.[32] Various state politicians have proposed bills that would require all computers to have a pornography filter, branding it the "Elizabeth Smart Law." However, in March 2018, her spokesman denied her relationship to the proposal. Her lawyer sent a cease and desist letter to the politicians in which they were ordered not to use her name.[33]

On June 5, 2017, on the 15th anniversary of her abduction, Lifetime aired the made-for-TV film titled I Am Elizabeth Smart, narrated and produced by Smart, which tells the story of her kidnapping from her perspective. The film starred Alana Boden as Elizabeth Smart, Skeet Ulrich as Brian David Mitchell, Deirdre Lovejoy as Wanda Ileen Barzee, George Newbern as Ed Smart, and Anne Openshaw as Lois Smart.[34] She has subsequently produced other Lifetime features, including Stolen By Their Father (about Lizbeth Meredith's plans to reclaim her daughters after being kept in Greece by Meredith's ex-husband Greg),[35] The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story (which detailed the abduction of Kara Robinson at the hands of Richard Evonitz),[36] Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story (which detailed the kidnapping of Elizabeth Thomas),[37] and The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story (which detailed the kidnapping of Tanya Nicole Kach).[38]

In 2018, Smart published Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up with St. Martin's Press.[39][40]

In 2019, Smart, and numerous other high-profile female kidnapping survivors, participated in the Lifetime documentary Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case, which touches on the 2018 kidnapping of Wisconsin teenager Jayme Closs, and the murders of her parents. Smart and the other women offer their perspectives on how Jayme can heal and recover.[41]

In 2021, Smart competed on The Masked Dancer as "Moth". She was eliminated during the third episode of the series, placing eighth overall in the competition.[42]

Personal life

On November 11, 2009, Smart left Salt Lake City to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris.[43][44] Smart temporarily returned from her mission in November 2010 to serve as the chief witness in the federal trial of Brian David Mitchell. After the trial, she returned to France to finish her mission, coming home to Utah in early 2011.[45]

While serving as a missionary in the Paris Mission, Smart met Scotland native Matthew Gilmour. In January 2012, after a courtship of one year, they became engaged.[46][47][48] They married on February 18, 2012, in a private ceremony in the Laie Hawaii Temple.[49][50] Since then, the couple have had three children: daughter Chloe Rose on February 7, 2015; son James on April 2, 2017; and daughter Olivia on November 7, 2018.[51][52][53][54][55] As of 2023, the family lives in Wasatch County, Utah.[56]

In 2019, Smart's father, Ed, came out as gay and left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leading to the divorce of her parents. Smart stated that she would support both of her parents during this time.[57][58]

Also in 2019, while traveling home to Utah aboard a Delta Air Lines flight, Smart alleged that she was awakened by a male passenger next to her rubbing her inner thigh. She reported the incident and began a self-defense program for women and girls called Smart Defense.[59]

See also

References

Citations

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Sources

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External links

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Elizabeth Smart demands porn bill backer stop using her name - Michelle R. Smith, The Washington Post / AP, March 26, 2018
  34. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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