Nominate a Hero: TAT’s Harriet Tubman Award Honors Industry Champions in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Do you know a driver, dispatcher, technician, or safety manager who has gone above and beyond to combat human trafficking? Now is your chance to spotlight their extraordinary courage and compassion. Nominations are open for Truckers Against Trafficking’s (TAT) Harriet Tubman Award. This honor celebrates real-world heroes in the trucking, bus, and energy sectors who take action to protect the vulnerable and disrupt exploitation.
Each year, TAT presents this prestigious award, accompanied by a $5,000 prize and a commemorative trophy, to an individual whose direct actions have led to the prevention of human trafficking or the rescue of its victims. Created in 2013, the award is named for Harriet Tubman—the famed abolitionist who risked her life to lead more than 300 enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Tubman’s legacy of bravery, leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice is reflected in every recipient of this powerful award.
The Harriet Tubman Award is more than a recognition—it’s a symbol of what happens when awareness turns into action. One powerful example comes from 2019, when two members of the bus industry were honored for their life-saving response.
That year, Lakefront Lines bus driver Larren Tarver and District Safety Director Lauren Gnall received the Harriet Tubman Award after responding swiftly to reports that a male companion on board was trafficking a female passenger. Both had recently completed TAT’s training for transit and motorcoach personnel. Thanks to Tarver’s calm intervention and the Lakefront Lines safety team’s coordinated response, law enforcement was quickly notified, the suspect was arrested, and the victim was safely recovered.
“The training really helped me in feeling aware and alert of my surroundings,” said Tarver. “I felt empowered by thinking of the family members of the victim… the victim could still be in danger til this day” if he hadn’t acted.
The Harriet Tubman Award reminds us that awareness, education, and swift action can save lives. Industry professionals are uniquely positioned to make a difference—and many already have.
If you know someone whose actions echo the bravery and compassion of Harriet Tubman, nominate them for this incredible honor. Learn more about the nomination process and past winners at www.tatnonprofit.org.
Let’s shine a light on the everyday heroes in our industry—and help end human trafficking, one watchful professional at a time.
