New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces the recipients of its 2026 ProtectHER Awards: Baker Botts and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, and Janet Jensen. The awards, sponsored by Thomson Reuters, will be presented at the annual NFNL Stand for Her Luncheon, on September 24 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. The luncheon will feature actress, producer, and founder/CEO Tracee Ellis Ross in a conversation moderated by NBC 5 anchor Laura Harris.
Community leaders Lottye and Bobby Lyle will serve as honorary luncheon chairs, joining mother-daughter co-chair teams Beth Thoele and Brooke Russo and Kathy Helm and Marci Kramer in leading the event, which supports NFNL’s mission to restore and empower survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Established in 2013, the ProtectHER Awards recognize individuals, corporations, and agencies whose leadership and service advance the protection, dignity, and value of women and girls in Dallas, across the nation, and around the world. Past recipients include Erin Nealy Cox, The Meadows Foundation, Methodist Health Systems, Santander Consumer USA Foundation, Inc., and Southwest Airlines.
For the past two years, the Baker Botts/Toyota Pro Bono Legal Clinic has played a critical role in supporting members of NFNL’s Women’s Program by providing free legal services that remove barriers to stability and independence. From addressing family law matters to resolving issues that impact employment, housing, and financial security, the clinic has helped survivors move forward with confidence and hope.
“Each year these partnering entities show up with expertise wrapped in empathy, lighting the legal path forward for our members” said Bianca Davis, CEO, NFNL. "Their unwavering commitment helps remove barriers that too often stand between survivors and the fresh start they deserve."
Through her tireless advocacy for Trey’s Law, Elizabeth Carlock Phillips has become a powerful voice for survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking. This landmark legislation prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence survivors of sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Inspired by the tragic loss of her brother, Trey Carlock, who experienced childhood sexual abuse at a summer camp and died by suicide in 2019 at the age of 28, Phillips courageously shared his story with lawmakers to help ensure survivors would never again be silenced. Today, Trey's Law is helping hold perpetrators accountable in Texas and serving as a model for similar legislation across the country.
“At New Friends New Life, we recognize the courage and tenacity required to impact legislative change,” said Davis. “Elizabeth has transformed personal tragedy into meaningful action, creating protections that will benefit survivors for generations to come."
As founder of The Jensen Project, Janet Jensen has transformed the way organizations serving women and girls affected by gender-based violence build capacity and strengthen their impact. Through strategic funding, leadership development, collaboration, and technical support, The Jensen Project has equipped agencies across the country with the resources needed to expand services, improve outcomes, and better serve survivors.
"The Jensen Project's advocacy, investment, and commitment to collaboration have strengthened the anti-trafficking movement and created meaningful, measurable progress for survivors nationwide," Davis added. "Janet understands that lasting change happens when organizations are equipped to work together, and her leadership continues to elevate the entire field."
“Thomson Reuters is proud to stand alongside New Friends New Life in honoring these ProtectHER Award recipients,” said Heather Panton, Senior Advisor of Social Impact and Human Rights, Thomson Reuters. “Their tireless efforts reflect the values we champion – truth, justice, and human dignity. We are committed to leveraging our data, technology, and subject matter expertise to help combat trafficking in communities across the U.S. and around the world.”
Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $3,000. A limited number of individual tickets are available at $300. To reserve sponsorships or seats, visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org, or contact Chief Development Officer Priya Murphy at 214-217-8652. Media Sponsor is NBC 5/ Telemundo 39.
# # #
About New Friends New Life (NFNL)
Founded in Dallas in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) is an award-winning organization that restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women, and their children while leading efforts to end sex trafficking and exploitation through awareness, advocacy, and systemic change. In 2025, NFNL served 320 teen girls, women, and their children, providing holistic programs that support stability, emotional healing, education, economic mobility, and long-term independence. NFNL advances its mission through advocacy, legislative reform, community education, and strategic partnerships. Its drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC), launched in partnership with the Texas Governor's Office, has provided comprehensive preventative and restorative services to more than 700 trafficked and high-risk teen girls since opening in 2018. NFNL’s Men's Advocacy Group has engaged men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation since 2015. In 2024, NFNL was named the D CEO Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Organization of the Year (Midsize). For more information, visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org.
