Shelia Simpkins McClain’s story began with sexual abuse at an early age, followed by running away from home and early drug use. By the time Shelia was 18, she was being prostituted and was subsequently trafficked across the country. Shelia has learned to turn her past experiences into the driving force behind her desire to help those who are victims of trafficking. She’s been able to turn all the wrongs in her life into her greatest asset and a sense of empowerment.

Shelia is a living example to those we serve of a rich full life after trafficking; as a wife, mother and educated professional woman. She has a B.A. in Psychology, earned in order to provide a higher level of service to survivors. She recently was accepted in the UT Knoxville MSSW Program with concentration in Organizational Leadership.

Shelia is currently the Senior Case Coordinator of Thistle Farms Residential Magdalene Program. She sits on the Human Trafficking Advisory Council for the State of Tennessee. She’s the survivor advocate for Cherished Hearts a Davidson County Trafficking Court. Shelia has been featured in The New York Times, and NPR, She was featured in the PBS documentary, “A Path Appears,”