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Smart — who was abducted at age 14 from her home in Salt Lake City in June 2002 and held hostage for nine months — had the crowd riveted with her memories of the ordeal. At one point, Smart said that while she wasn't glad it had happened, she was "grateful for what she learned from it."
Smart, who is now 28, also discussed her memoir, "My Story," a New York Times best-selling book that detailed her abduction and rescue.
She and her husband, Matthew Gilmour, have a 1-year-old daughter, Chloe. Smart also works as an advocate and founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which promotes awareness about abduction and works to stop predatory crimes.
Over 400 people attended the sold-out event, which raised more than $50,000 for STAR, Inc.
A question-and-answer session after Smart's talk was moderated by Fox 5's Sharon Crowley.
Norwalk-based STAR Inc., Lighting The Way was established in 1952 by parents who believed that children with developmental disabilities were entitled to the same basic opportunities in their home community as other children, and as an alternative to institutionalization.
Today the organization has grown to include a full array of services for over 500 individuals with disabilities and their families, from birth to their senior years. Services are provided for families in Norwalk, New Canaan, Wilton, Weston, Westport and Darien.
Click here to learn more about STAR Inc.
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