The Resolute Diplomat

Ambassador Jeanne Phillips: A Mother Dedicated to Combating Human Trafficking

by Karyn Brodsky

Did you know that the typical age for a child entering the human trafficking market in Dallas is just 13 years? This shocking fact hit Ambassador Jeanne Phillips hard when she first learned about it from Katie Pedigo, the CEO of New Friends New Life (NFNL), and her longtime friend Nancy Ann Hunt, who is also actively involved with NFNL.

NFNL focuses on restoring and empowering women and children affected by trafficking and sexual exploitation (newfriendsnewlife.org). “At the time, my daughter Maggie was 14,” recalls Phillips. “Hearing that girls younger than her were being sold in Texas made me physically ill.” She also discovered that human trafficking generates a staggering $99 million in revenue in Dallas, with Texas ranking second in the nation for its incidents.

Initially, Phillips joined NFNL’s advisory board to help promote awareness of human trafficking and to highlight the dedicated individuals working towards a solution. The enormity of the trafficking issue in Dallas deeply troubled her, and she felt compelled to support those in such dire circumstances. However, Phillips soon faced a personal struggle of her own.

Her husband, David, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, which ultimately took his life after a two-year battle. Suddenly thrust into single motherhood, Phillips found herself raising a teenage daughter alone. “People often ask how I coped with that loss, and I share what I’d like the women at New Friends New Life to understand: ‘Life presents many challenges, but faith, friendship, humor, and the determination to improve our lives can help us overcome them,’” Phillips reflects. For her and Maggie, the journey included a shift to a new normal: cherishing David’s memory while trusting in a greater purpose for their lives.

When Maggie headed to Vanderbilt University in 2011, Phillips committed to enhancing her participation in community service and advancing her career. In 2015, she took on the role of chair for NFNL’s annual Wings Luncheon, where special guest Kevin Costner delivered a memorable speech, helping the event raise an impressive $1 million, surpassing its fundraising target.

Last month, Phillips chaired the luncheon for the second consecutive year, inviting Amal Clooney, a distinguished barrister and human rights advocate. Once again, the event achieved its goal, raising another $1 million for NFNL.

These fundraising efforts are pivotal to raising public awareness about human trafficking, which impacts not only girls but boys as well. “This issue permeates all sectors of society, not just disadvantaged communities,” Phillips notes. In fact, NFNL has successfully advocated with state lawmakers to update Texas legislation addressing this escalating crisis. House Bill 2290, which declares January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, was enacted by Governor Abbott on June 17, 2015, while House Bill 2286, designed to allow victims to potentially overturn past prostitution convictions arising from their victimization, was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 19, 2015. Additionally, over 20 other laws were established to improve the rights of human trafficking victims in Texas.

Throughout her work with NFNL, Ambassador Phillips has prioritized her role as a mother to Maggie. She encourages parents to “be present with their children and cherish every moment because time inevitably moves swiftly!”

“Maggie and I cherish our time together and feel immensely fortunate,” Phillips shares. “We express our gratitude for David’s life and seek opportunities to turn our loss into greater understanding, sensitivity to others, and an appreciation for what truly matters.” She recalls a friend telling Maggie, “It’s not about the hand you’re dealt in life, but how you play it that truly counts.”

Now involved with NFNL herself, Maggie is working to engage more volunteers in the 21-30 age group. She chaired the Home Tour last fall and is passionately encouraging her peers to support NFNL’s mission, nurturing the next generation of young advocacy leaders.

For her passionate advocacy for victims of human trafficking and her efforts in fundraising to empower them while raising her daughter as a single parent, Rodrigosaffiliates Magazine takes pride in presenting this month’s VIP award to Ambassador Jeanne Phillips.

In addition to her role as U.S. Ambassador under President Bush, Jeanne Phillips has held numerous political appointments, served in leadership capacities on various boards, and is a well-regarded businesswoman in Dallas. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs and International Relations at Hunt Consolidated, Inc., where she also leads Hunt Global Partnerships, focusing on the company’s global social investments.