Fortune has unveiled its feature story on the Heroes of the Fortune 500, and eBay is proud to have an employee on the list. The story highlights 55 individuals who are doing extraordinary things outside of the office, including performing “extraordinary acts of bravery, kindness and selflessness.”
Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, Senior Manager of Enterprise Technology at eBay, was chosen for this distinct honor. At number 24 on the list, Silvia is a true hero and advocate for survivors of sexual violence.
“As a child in Peru, Vasquez-Lavado, a mountaineer, endured a period of sexual violence that would haunt her for much of her adult life,” Fortune reported. “It wasn’t until she had the opportunity to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp in 2005 that she began to feel healed.”
For Silvia, mountain climbing isn’t just a hobby, but a way of healing. Silvia founded Courageous Girls, a non-profit group that is dedicated to helping victims of sexual violence find their own sense of peace and closure, while also connecting with other young women survivors.
“I decided to turn survivors into empowered people by helping them find that inner strength within themselves,” Silvia told Fortune. “It is so hard to do with so much shame inside of you.”
Fortune’s article can be found here. Congratulations to Silvia for this recognition. She is a true hero who inspires us all.
Image Credit: Silvia Vasquez-Lavado