The Rogue
Today, we have our first ever person induction into the Justice Rogues Gallery. It’s my pleasure to introduce Jessica Kristie, 
writer and Modern Day Abolitionist. She has written a novel, Barbed-Wire Butterflies and all the royalties goes to the organization, Courage Worldwide. Jessica graciously agreed to do an interview for us.
What motivated you to get into the Modern Day Abolition movement?
I believe the cause found me. I sat down one day to brainstorm and start gathering ideas for a novel when the words human trafficking popped into my head. it was unexpected, but a moment that changed my life. From there I researched the subject and felt deeply called to join the movement.
When did you decide to combine your love for writing and your activism?
Without knowing it, it became a tightly knit package. After researching the issue the story came to me like it had always been there. It was a divine marriage of both my desire to serve and my need to write.
How did the idea for Barbed-Wire Butterflies develop? When did you decide to give all the profits to Courage Worldwide?
The words took over and it neatly flowed into a story with characters I quickly connected with and cared about. Courage Worldwide was one of the first non-profit organizations I found when researching. I was excited to learn they were local to me and the more I read about them, the more I felt called to connect. When they read and enjoyed my book, the pieces then fell together and it became a really wonderful partnership. I volunteer for them on a regular basis and have found every person involved to be amazing.
Tell us more about Courage Worldwide and how people can be involved?
Courage Worldwide is an organization that builds homes around the world for children rescued out of sex trafficking. They have a home in Sacramento, Tanzania, and one being built in Hawaii. Their goal is to build a home in every city that needs one. Their hearts are big and they live each day with God-sized dreams to eradicate slavery in our lifetime. They are constantly looking for new volunteers, funding, and partnerships from like-minded people and organizations.
How can writers collaborate on similar projects?
The best way to build a relationship with any organization is to volunteer. This way they are able to get to know you and your heart. Non-profits want to work with people who have similar goals and honorable intentions. It is also a business, so make sure you approach any organization with a professional and completed product or idea. If it is meant to be, then the pieces will come together.
Bonus Question: If you could be a Superhero who would you be and why?
I wish I could be more original but I have to say Wonder Woman. I used to watch the show as a kid and spin around on the playground pretending I had turned and then go jump over anything I could find. I was also a fan of Teela from He-Man, so she would be my power-house backup pick. 🙂
Barbed-Wire Butterflies (Amazon, Barnes and Noble)
Elani Benjamin had never imagined the level of fear and uncertainty that was now a demoralizing part of her everyday life. With freedom ripped from her world, Elani must stand alongside the hundreds of other women forced into slave labor by the mysterious organization that runs The Hub. At only thirteen years of age, she must decide if she will give in to the daily atrocities surrounding her or keep fighting her courageous, emotional battle for freedom. Malnutrition, intimidation, and abuse force them all into an isolated depression that guarantees compliance. On the edge of surrender, Elani finds an ally in Eddie, a repentant long-term employee of The Hub who gives her the resolution to find a way out of her imprisonment and the hope of reclaiming her stolen freedom.
100% of all print royalties and a percentage of digital copies go to Courage Worldwide, an international, non-profit organization that is building homes around the world for children rescued out of sex trafficking.
Jessica’s Bio
Jessica has been published in several online and print magazines such as Zouch, Muse, and The Huffington Post. You can find all of Jessica’s appearances under her Press Page at JessicaKristie.com. Jessica has committed 100% of all print royalties and a percentage of digital copies and merchandise to Courage Worldwide, an international non-profit organization that is building homes around the world for children rescued out of sex trafficking.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jessica Kristie discovered her passion for writing as a child. Along with her creative side, she works in the publishing industry, is an avid supporter of all creative souls, and hopes to draw readers into her world through shared emotion. She inspires to forgive, remember, and heal, while continuing to dedicate herself to the eradication of all forms of human trafficking.
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