Joe Sherwood (from left), executive director of the Chester County Library System; Sen. Andy Dinniman; Olympia Mitchell of Alpha Kappa Alpha; Shelia Sawyer, first vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha; Dr. Cerise James, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha; Annabelle Jackson of Alpha Kapp Alpha; and Carol Jerrehian of the Chester County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition are partnering to fight human trafficking.

EXTON – State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced a partnership between Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Iota Tau Omega Chapter, the Chester County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition, and the Chester County Library System to raise public awareness in the battle against human trafficking.

The groups have collaborated to develop a display of books and informational materials on human trafficking that will be featured at eleven of the Chester County Library System’s branches this spring. On Monday, April 28, Dr. Cerise James, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Iota Tau Omega Chapter, was joined by First Vice President Sheila Sawyer and other members of the sorority in presenting Dinniman and Joseph Sherwood, executive director of the Chester County Library system, with $600 to purchase new books for the project, a library news release said.

Dinniman, a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 75, legislation to improve and better define Pennsylvania’s human trafficking laws, said he brought the organizations together when representatives from Alpha Kappa Alpha indicated they wanted to help raise awareness about human trafficking.

“I want to thank everyone involved in this endeavor, especially the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Chester County Anti-Trafficking Coalition, who are dedicated to the fight against human trafficking,” Dinniman said. “Human trafficking is a nefarious crime that hides in the shadows. And a crucial part of our battle is shedding light on it and making the public aware of just what a serious and widespread problem human trafficking really is.”

Carol Jerrehian of the Chester County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition thanked Dinniman for “his passionate, committed” efforts, as well as Alpha Kappa Alpha, which she said “exemplified what every sorority should be.” She said that “sadly, both labor and sex trafficking do take place in Chester County. And that is why this legislation is so important. Human trafficking can be very difficult to prove under the current law.”

The Human Trafficking Awareness Exhibit will appear at the following libraries:April 14, Chester County Library, Exton; April 21,  Henrietta Hankin Branch Library; April 28, Phoenixville Public Library; May 5, Easttown Library; May 12,  Malvern Public Library; May 18, Oxford Public Library; May 26, Bayard Taylor Library; June 2 – Coatesville Area Public Library; June 9, West Chester Public Library; June 16, Spring City Public Library; June 23, Tredyffrin Public Library.