Editing Elizabeth Smart (section)

==Activism and media coverage==
[[File:Elizabeth Smart White House.jpg|thumb|Elizabeth Smart (center) and her mother Lois meet with [[President George W. Bush]] in the [[Roosevelt Room]] at the signing of the [[PROTECT Act of 2003]]]]
[[File:Elizabeth Smart Speaks About Overcoming Trauma.jpg |thumb|Smart in 2012]]

Smart's uncle, Tom Smart, and author [[Lee Benson]] wrote a book about the search for Smart, ''In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation''. Her father wrote another book about Smart's kidnapping, called ''Bringing Elizabeth Home''. A television movie, ''[[The Elizabeth Smart Story]]'', was made in 2003, based on the book by Smart's father.

On March 8, 2006, Smart spoke before the [[United States Congress]] to support [[sexual predator]] legislation and the [[AMBER Alert]] system. On July 26, 2006, she spoke at an event held following the signing of the [[Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act|Adam Walsh Act]]. Smart was one of five recovered young adults who contributed entries to the 2008 book ''You're Not Alone'', which was published by the [[U.S. Department of Justice]]. She appeared at a May 2008 event promoting the book.<ref>{{cite web|title=''You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment''|url=https://www.ojjdp.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=244130|publisher=[[Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention]]|access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/05/smart.cnna/index.html |access-date=May 20, 2008 |title= Elizabeth Smart hopes to aid victims |publisher=CNN }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700227525,00.html |access-date=May 20, 2008 |first=Pat |last=Reavy |date=May 20, 2008 |title=Elizabeth Smart: Ready for college and moving on after kidnapping |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521014443/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700227525,00.html |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2009, Smart commented on the [[kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard]]. She shared that, in her own experience of recovering from trauma, she had found dwelling on the past to be unproductive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oh |first=Eunice |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Elizabeth Smart's Advice to Jaycee Dugard: Move Forward in Life |url=https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smarts-advice-to-jaycee-dugard-move-forward-in-life/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217191708/https://people.com/celebrity/elizabeth-smarts-advice-to-jaycee-dugard-move-forward-in-life/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2017 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Frank |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Kidnap Victim Elizabeth Smart Gives Jaycee Dugard Advice |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2009/08/kidnap_victim_elizabeth_smarts.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref>

In October 2009, Smart spoke at the 2009 [[Women's Conference]] in California (hosted by [[Maria Shriver]]) on the topic of overcoming obstacles in life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.womensconference.org/elizabeth-smart |access-date=March 14, 2010 |title=The Women's Conference hosted by California's First Lady |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416100743/http://www.womensconference.org/elizabeth-smart |archive-date=April 16, 2013 }}</ref> In 2011, Smart founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation,<ref name="facts">{{cite web |date=October 31, 2017 |title=Elizabeth Smart Fast Facts |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/us/elizabeth-smart-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=November 18, 2017 |work=CNN}}</ref> which aims to bring hope and end the victimization and exploitation of sexual assault through prevention, recovery, and advocacy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elizabethsmartfoundation.org/ |title=Home |website=elizabethsmartfoundation.org}}</ref> In March 2011, Smart was one of four women awarded the [[Diane von Furstenberg Award]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-elizabeth-smart-dvf-award_n_834874 |title=Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Smart Honored By Diane Von Furstenberg |access-date=November 1, 2021 |work=HuffPost |first=Hilary |last=Moss |date=March 12, 2011}}</ref> On July 7, 2011, [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] announced that she would work as a commentator for them, mainly focusing on missing persons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dobner|first1=Jennifer|title=Elizabeth Smart to work as ABC commentator|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-elizabeth-smart-to-work-as-abc-commentator-2011jul07-story.html|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=July 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Lois M.|title=Elizabeth Smart to join ABC for missing-persons insight|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/7/7/20202414/elizabeth-smart-to-join-abc-for-missing-persons-insight|access-date=November 1, 2021|work=[[Deseret News]]|date=July 7, 2011}}</ref>

In July 2012, [[Theta Phi Alpha]] National Fraternity honored Smart with the [[Siena Medal]] award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetaphialpha.org/about/award-recipients/siena-medalists|title=Siena Medalists {{!}} Theta Phi Alpha|website=www.thetaphialpha.org|access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> The medal is the highest honor the organization bestows upon a non-member. They named it after their patroness, [[St. Catherine of Siena]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetaphialpha.org/awards|title=Awards Recipients {{!}} Theta Phi Alpha|website=www.thetaphialpha.org|access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>

On May 1, 2013, in a speech at a [[human trafficking]] conference at [[Johns Hopkins University]], Smart discussed the need to emphasize individual self-worth in fighting human trafficking and the importance of dispelling cultural myths surrounding girls' [[Virginity#Cultural value|loss of value upon sexual contact]]. Having been raped by her captor, she recalled the destructive impact of exposure to abstinence-only sexual education programs such as those stressed in her Mormon faith.<ref name="NBC News-2013" />

Many of them teach that a sexually active girl is akin to a chewed piece of [[Chewing gum|gum]]. "I thought, 'Oh, my gosh, I'm that chewed up piece of gum, nobody re-chews a piece of gum, you throw it away.' And that's how easy it is to feel like you no longer have worth, you no longer have value," Smart said. "Why would it even be worth screaming out? Why would it even make a difference if you are rescued? Your life still has no value." Smart went on to ask that listeners educate children on having self-worth, avoiding viewing themselves as victims.<ref>{{cite web |title=Video: Elizabeth Smart speaks at Johns Hopkins University |date=May 7, 2013 |url=http://fox13now.com/2013/05/06/video-elizabeth-smart-speaks-at-johns-hopkins-university/ |access-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2013/5/7/20796372/did-elizabeth-smart-say-it-s-wrong-to-teach-abstinence |first=Jay|last=Evenson|title=Did Elizabeth Smart say it's wrong to teach abstinence? |publisher=Deseret News |date=May 7, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>

Smart described suicidal thoughts after the first of many rapes by her captor saying "I felt like I wasn't even human anymore."<ref name="NBC News-2013" />

In October 2013, ''My Story'', a [[memoir]] of Smart's experience co-written with [[Chris Stewart (politician)|Chris Stewart]], was published by [[St. Martin's Press]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Leslie|date=November 20, 2012|title=Elizabeth Smart Memoir of Her Captivity Is Acquired by St. Martin's|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/elizabeth-smart-memoir-of-her-captivity-is-acquired-by-st-martins/|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref> The book details both Smart's kidnapping and the formation of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which works to promote awareness about abductions.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Associated Press|date=November 23, 2012|title=Congressman-elect writing Elizabeth Smart's memoir|url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/11/23/20510211/congressman-elect-writing-elizabeth-smart-s-memoir|access-date=October 9, 2013|publisher=Deseretnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Foy|first=Paul|date=October 7, 2013|title=Elizabeth Smart details experience in Memoir|url=https://www.deseret.com/2013/10/7/20458182/elizabeth-smart-details-kidnapping-in-new-memoir|access-date=November 1, 2021|publisher=Deseretnews.com}}</ref> Smart has played the [[harp]] on national television in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 5, 2013|title=Elizabeth Plays The Harp|work=[[NBC News]]|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/53191726/#53191726|access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref>

In February 2014, Smart testified before the [[Utah State House of Representatives]] in favor of HB 286. The bill would create an optional curriculum for use in Utah schools to provide training on child sexual abuse prevention.<ref>{{citation |title= Elizabeth Smart backs bill on child sexual abuse prevention training in schools |url= https://www.deseret.com/2014/2/19/20535738/elizabeth-smart-backs-bill-on-child-sexual-abuse-prevention-training-in-schools|newspaper= Deseret News |first= Madeleine |last= Brown |date= February 19, 2014|access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref> In early 2015, Faith Counts featured Smart in a video in which she explains how her religion sustained her through her ordeal and helped her heal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Multi-faith Initiative Viewed by Millions— Faith Counts releases new video featuring Elizabeth Smart|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/multi-faith-initiative-viewed-by-millions|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=Newsroom|publisher=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]|date=February 6, 2015}}</ref> As of September 2016, Smart is a correspondent for the true-crime show ''[[Crime Watch Daily]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fox13now.com/2016/09/15/elizabeth-smart-returns-for-season-two-of-crime-watch-daily-with-chris-hansen/|title=Elizabeth Smart returns for season two of 'Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen'|date=September 15, 2016|website=fox13now.com|language=en|access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref> Various state politicians have proposed bills that would require all computers to have a pornography filter, branding it the "Elizabeth Smart Law." However, in March 2018, her spokesman denied her relationship to the proposal. Her lawyer sent a [[cease and desist]] letter to the politicians in which they were ordered not to use her name.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/elizabeth-smart-wants-her-name-removed-from-anti-porn-bill/2018/03/26/31a6d1a2-311b-11e8-b6bd-0084a1666987_story.html Elizabeth Smart demands porn bill backer stop using her name] - Michelle R. Smith, The Washington Post / AP, March 26, 2018</ref>

On June 5, 2017, on the 15th anniversary of her abduction, [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] aired the made-for-TV film titled ''[[I Am Elizabeth Smart]]'', narrated and produced by Smart, which tells the story of her kidnapping from her perspective. The film starred [[Alana Boden]] as Elizabeth Smart, [[Skeet Ulrich]] as Brian David Mitchell, [[Deirdre Lovejoy]] as Wanda Ileen Barzee, [[George Newbern]] as Ed Smart, and Anne Openshaw as Lois Smart.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Saraiya|first=Sonia|date=November 17, 2017|title=Lifetime's 'I Am Elizabeth Smart'|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/|url-status=live|department=TV Reviews|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171126153148/http://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/i-am-elizabeth-smart-review-lifetime-1202617906/|archive-date=November 26, 2017|access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> In 2018, Smart published ''Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up'' with [[St. Martin's Press]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smart|first1=Elizabeth A.|title=Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up|date=March 27, 2018|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1250115522|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Smart|first1=Elizabeth A.|date=March 27, 2018|title=Where There's Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-theres-hope-elizabeth-a-smart/1126613159?type=eBook|access-date=July 8, 2018|website=Barnes & Noble|language=en}}</ref>

In 2021, Smart competed on ''[[The Masked Dancer (American TV series)|The Masked Dancer]]'' as "Moth". She was eliminated during the third episode of the series, placing eighth overall in the competition.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Rachel Yang|date=January 13, 2021|title=''The Masked Dancer'' recap: Moth flies away, revealed as famed activist|url=https://ew.com/tv/recaps/masked-dancer-season-1-episode-3/|access-date=January 14, 2021|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>

In 2022, Elizabeth Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie ''Stolen By Their Father'' as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which talked about Lizbeth Meredith's plans to reclaim her daughters after being kept in Greece by Meredith's ex-husband Greg during their visit to him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/lizbeth-meredith-now|title=Lizbeth Meredith Now: "Stolen by Their Father" Subject Shares Story}}</ref>

In 2023, Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie ''The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story'' as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which detailed the abduction of Kara Robinson at the hands of [[Richard Evonitz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/lifetime-elizabeth-smart-the-kara-robinson-story-1235210908/|title=Lifetime Partners Again with Elizabeth Smart on "The Kara Robinson Story"|website=Deadline|first=Lynnette|last=Rice|date=January 4, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023}}</ref> She was later the executive producer of ''Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story'' as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which detailed the kidnapping of Elizabeth Thomas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.etonline.com/interview-elizabeth-thomas-reflects-on-being-abducted-by-her-teacher-getting-closure-exclusive-209634|title=Elizabeth Thomas Reflects on Being Abducted by Her Teacher, Getting Closure|work=ET Online|first=Miguel A.|last=Melendez|date=August 11, 2023|access-date=August 12, 2023}}</ref>

In 2024, Smart was the executive producer of the Lifetime movie ''The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story'' as part of its "Ripped From the Headlines" feature film which detailed the [[kidnapping of Tanya Nicole Kach]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/lifetime-elizabeth-smart-new-movie-tanya-kach-held-captive-by-school-security-guard-8629831|title=Lifetime Teams Up with Elizabeth Smart for New Movie on Tanya Kach, Who Was Held Captive by School Security Guard|website=People|first=KC|last=Baker|date=April 12, 2024|access-date=June 8, 2024}}</ref>