CREDIT HEIDI EIFFERT, STUDIOU
The passion Teresa Davidson has for her work has led her from Africa to Iowa to the White House and back again.
Ms. Davidson is the co-founder and president of Chains Interrupted, a nonprofit that works to combat and prevent human trafficking in Iowa.
When Ms. Davidson first learned of human trafficking, she was a pediatric nurse practitioner on a mission trip to Africa. She was there with other medical professionals to establish a free health care clinic. Traffickers took advantage of the crowds waiting to be treated, and used the clinic as a recruiting ground.
This inspired Ms. Davidson to research human trafficking, and she eventually connected with Cedar Rapids Gives and Sisters & Brothers Collaborating Against Human Trafficking, where she learned that human trafficking is still prevalent in the United States– and in Iowa.
“I joined up with them in 2012 and started learning more about what was happening here in the community,” she said. “I was shocked at what was happening.”
The two organizations eventually merged to become Chains Interrupted. They worked to connect victims with resources, but quickly realized it was a monumental task.
“There was no system in place to help (victims), no medical, no legal, no law enforcement, school – nothing. Nobody knew about it and didn’t have anything,” she said.
The public perception of human trafficking in Iowa at the time was, “this actually doesn’t happen here. This is Iowa,” said Ms. Davidson, and the organization doubled down on its efforts to raise awareness and cultivate prevention and advocacy, which eventually led to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids establishing an anti-human trafficking position – the first hospital-based position of this type in Iowa – and Ms. Davidson stepped in, serving as the first anti-human trafficking coordinator at the hospital.
In this role, she trained medical professionals across the state on how to identify and assist patients who have been victimized by trafficking.
“Her work at Mercy as the human trafficking coordinator saved lives and ensured members of the medical community were equipped to help those in need,” wrote Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State, in his Woman of Influence nomination letter. “She also cares deeply for those around her. Her mentorship is evident in her interactions with her colleagues. It is clear that they greatly admire and respect her, look to her for guidance, and consider her a strong leader and mentor.”
Ms. Davidson’s advocacy work has also had a significant impact on legislation in Iowa.
“She has been at the forefront of campaigns to strengthen laws against human trafficking, working closely with policymakers and law enforcement agencies to promote effective measures that protect vulnerable individuals and hold perpetrators accountable,” wrote Congresswoman Ashley Hinson in her Woman of Influence nomination letter. “Her relentless advocacy has resulted in key policy changes that have enhanced the state’s ability to combat human trafficking and provide justice to survivors.”
Her advocacy also led to an appointment in the White House for five years, where she served as a member of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to President Donald Trump, a council that reviewed federal policy and programs related to human trafficking.
Trafficking is a complicated crisis with many layers, and prevention can look like role models or mentors stepping in to help remove barriers and come alongside the vulnerable and at-risk.
“I want to be that person, or provide the platform for the people to be the mentors and the role models that people need that don’t have that, (who) could be sucked into human trafficking,” she said, discussing her own role models, which included her mom, grandparents and several missionaries she’s met over the years.
Her faith plays a significant role in the way she serves as a leader and mentor, both in Chains Interrupted and within her community.
“I pray every day that I can see everyone through God’s eyes,” she said. “Whether that’s my staff, whether that’s somebody that’s been victimized, or whether that’s actually somebody that’s abusing them – a lot of times people are recruited to it, (although) it doesn’t excuse their behavior.”
Ms. Davidson also credits her relationship with God in giving her strength and courage when she faces challenges.
“I believe this is my calling from God,” she said. “(The work) energizes me.”
This profile was originally published in the CBJ’s 2024 Women of Influence publication. The 2024 Women of Influence are an inspiring group of community leaders who have each overcome adversity, taken chances and challenged themselves to make a positive impact in their community, despite demanding schedules in their personal and professional lives.
The CBJ will host the 2024 Women of Influence 20 Year Gala from 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids. Tickets are still available to this event, which includes networking, dinner and remarks from the winners.
