​For over 25 years, the Coastal Bend Women Lawyers Association has held an annual spring luncheon in recognition of female leaders who have, through their leadership and community contributions, championed and inspired change. Past honorees may be viewed here.

​This year, Cyntoia Brown-Long, author and advocate for justice reform, was chosen as the speaker and "Women of Distinction" Honoree for our Annual Spring Luncheon  held at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 11:45 a.m. 

Scroll down to read more about Ms. Cyntoia Brown-Long and our sponsors!

Thank you to all those who made our 2022 Spring Luncheon event possible!

About Cyntoia Brown-Long

Join the CBWLA in recognizing Cyntoia Brown-Long as our 2022 Woman of Distinction. She is a passionate author, speaker, and advocate for sexual trafficking victims and criminal justice reform.

Born to an alcoholic teenage mother who was a victim of sex trafficking herself, growing up Cyntoia experienced a sense of isolation, low self-esteem, and alienation.

Following an all-too-common pattern, young Cyntoia was targeted and groomed by a predator that eventually forced her into sexual slavery.
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​At 16, she was forced to defend herself against a man who bought her for sex and abused her. Cyntoia survived; the “John” did not. Although a victim herself, the State of Tennessee tried her as an adult and sentenced Cyntoia to life in prison. In 2019, after spending 15 years in prison, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam commuted Cyntoia’s sentence. Her trafficker was never arrested.
Source: Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story (2020) | Netflix
Cyntoia’s has case garnered national attention and was featured in a PBS Independent Lens Documentary titled, Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story and Netflix Documentary titled, Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story.

​Cyntoia hopes her story will not only inspire others but also shine a light on injustice in the criminal justice system—especially injustice to women and children. 

Meet Our Sponsors

*Sponsor information current as of March 21, 2022.