Emily Samuelson contacted Race Director, Dr. Pamela Pine, when she heard that the Race to Stop the Silence was coming to town. She wants to do all she can to raise awareness about the devastation, anguish and extent of child sexual abuse while underscoring the possibility of healing. That's what her SOARING project is all about. She sees the Race as a great opportunity to expand awareness of child sexual abuse by taking the issue out of the shadows and into the streets. When we learned that Dr. Samuelson had been taking photos and interviewing a diverse group of thriving survivors of child sexual abuse over the last six years, we asked her if she would put the finishing touches on Soaring Above the Ashes in time for Race day. She agreed.

No one should miss this unique exhibit-a collection of black and white photo portraits of everyday heroes, as Emily calls them, men and women who have found their way through the dark passages of childhood sexual abuse to lives "imbued with power, intimacy, purpose and joy." Of them she says: "We need heroes in this cynical culture of ours--everyday heroes whose integrity and character can inspire us." She told us she was especially interested in finding survivors who had made the "seismic" shifts from victim to survivor to fully alive, free human being. The shifts are reflected in the beautiful faces of the survivors and the stories they tell.

Who are some of the "storytellers" in the exhibit? Here is how Dr. Samuelson describes some of them:

Fred Tolson, went from his mother's bed to booze and jail and the streets before starting a national organization for male survivors. He now tracks sex offenders using a comprehensive computer program he created.

Dusty Miller, Ed.D., is a renowned trauma consultant, trainer and author of Women Who Hurt Themselves. She created a treatment model based, in part, on her own recovery.

Joe Delgado, a videographer and filmmaker, has a deep infectious laugh that demonstrates the work he has done to heal.

Antoinette Savage, despite pressure from her African-American community to remain silent, traveled across the country to speak as a witness in the criminal prosecution of her father.

Donna Jenson created the sculpture project, People of Fire, as a tribute to those who survived and a memorial to those who did not. She also created and performed a monologue recounting her own healing journey.

Anthony Smith, dreamed of an idyllic life at the renowned Boys Town. His dream became a nightmare of gang rape and abuse.

Tonia Oyster, is a teenager who was taunted and ostracized when her peers discovered her history of sexual abuse. At age seventeen, she went on television, proudly declared herself a survivor and protested the parole of her abuser. Her mother, also a survivor, stood by her side.

Anthony Newkirk pushed beyond his macho culture to be open and forthright about his abuse history. Learning about his African-American heritage racial identity emboldened him to be the courageous man he was meant to be.

Emily Samuelson is a spirited survivor herself. Rather than hiding behind her professional title, she decided to join with the other survivors in sharing her secret and shedding the shame, thus claiming her history and proudly facing the world alongside her fellow heroes.

In viewing this exhibit and listening to the voices of these remarkable men and women we catch a glimpse of the strength, character and spirit of the artist herself. Soaring Above the Ashes is making its way into the world. It deserves a place of honor, such as the National Press Club, for its coming out.

Please visit the exhibit on Thursday, April 15, 2004 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. You will be heartened and inspired.