More than 1,000 people gathered at the KI Convention Center Thursday to hear from kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart.
Smart was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City home at the age of 14 and held captive for nine months.
Thursday she shared her message of hope at the 13th annual "Power of the Purse" event.
Elizabeth Smart now 29-years-old will forever be impacted by that horrific night in 2002.
"I was kidnapped from my bedroom at knife point and I was held captive for 9 months where I was sexually abused and hurt in many ways and then I was rescued 9 months later," Smart said.
Smart's abduction gained national attention. Now she's in Wisconsin sharing her story and urging others to always be aware of their surroundings.
"It’s danger from people that you know, or people you think you know, and making sure that you're telling your children that they need to tell you if they are scared," said Smart.
Smart also urged women at the luncheon to never give up hope no matter what the circumstances.
"I hope by the end of the speech that they'll feel inspired and empowered to keep going forward," said Smart.
The Women's Fund of Greater Green Bay gives grants to local organizations providing programs for women facing various obstacles.
"Elizabeth is the perfect example of that and she went through great hardship and she managed to persevere," said Women's Fund of Greater Green Bay President Susan Baranczyk.
Smart told the women at the event that she hoped her story would inspire them to realize they could move on from the past.
"Life can be beautiful and it is beautiful and you can be happy again," said Smart.
Today Smart is a wife and mother of two.
