Dr. Vida L. Avery (PhD)

200 passengers saw nothing. One flight attendant noticed everything. A pen and paper saved a life. In 2011, Alaska Airlines flight attendant Sheila Fredrick noticed something wrong on a routine flight from Seattle to San Francisco. A young girl, estimated to be around 14 or 15, sat next to a much older man. The girl was poorly dressed, visibly frightened, and the man would not let her speak when Fredrick tried to engage them in conversation. Fredrick went to the bathroom and left a note and a pen on the mirror. She made eye contact with the girl and subtly directed her toward the restroom. The girl went in and wrote back two words: I need help. Fredrick immediately informed the pilot, who contacted authorities on the ground. Police were waiting when the plane landed and the girl was rescued. Fredrick later said she trusted her instincts because something felt deeply wrong. She went on to become a trainer helping airline crews recognize the signs of human trafficking in the air. Her story has been used in awareness campaigns worldwide.