Miss Universe to Visit Mount Saint Vincent
11/6/2015
Riverdale, N.Y. – Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013, has used her title to bring attention to important global issues around the world—including the empowerment of women and children and those victimized by human trafficking. She will continue her humanitarian efforts on Thursday, November 12, as she will be visiting the University of Mount Saint Vincent for a presentation in the class, The Evolution of Modern Slavery.
The class, which is taught by Deirdre Gaughan, an adjunct professor at the College, provides an overview of the societal consequences of dehumanization and the denial of basic human rights. Ms. Isler, the Founder and CEO of the Universe of Blessings Fund, will share insights of her foundation, which is devoted to the empowerment of young women and girls. She will also discuss efforts to combat human trafficking—an issue especially relevant to her as Venezuela is one of the world’s worst centers of such involuntary servitude.
In February of 2015, Ms. Isler signed the Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders against Modern Slavery issued by the Global Freedom Network, an ecumenical organization formed by Pope Francis to eradicate human trafficking around the world. With her commitment to such altruistic causes, the College has also invited Ms. Isler to visit its newly dedicated Fishlinger Center for Public Policy Research to learn more about its landmark study on social issues in the United States, which focuses specifically on human trafficking.
This will be Ms. Isler’s second visit to the University of Mount Saint Vincent. She previously attended the College’s 2014 conference, Migration, Trafficking, and Freedom: We Are All Migrant Peoples, a symposium on human trafficking and modern day slavery where she presented, “The Global Empowerment of Young Women.”
About the University of Mount Saint Vincent
Founded in 1847 by the Sisters of Charity, the University of Mount Saint Vincent offers nationally recognized liberal arts education and a select array of professional fields of study on a landmark campus overlooking the Hudson River. Committed to the education of the whole person, and enriched by the unparalleled cultural, educational and career opportunities of New York City, the College equips students with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary for lives of achievement, professional accomplishment and leadership in the 21st century.