‘Ambassador’ for community and dedicated human trafficking foe is Tri-Citian of the Year

Retiring as director of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland is accomplishment enough for most people.

For Lura J. Powell, leaving the prestigious post in 2003 was just a starting point. In the 20 years since she turned in her badge, she has earned a reputation as a dedicated volunteer focused on science, technology, education, literacy and combating human trafficking.

For her exhaustive efforts to improve the Tri-Cities and the lives of its residents, Powell was named the 2023 Tri-Citian of the year.

Srinagar- The National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma on Thursday said human trafficking increased by 15.56 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir last year as compared to the 2021-22 financial year but it is “just the tip of an iceberg”.

“In the last few years, we have seen in Kashmir also that women are getting targeted. The NCRB data shows that it has increased 15.56 per cent last year compared to 2021-22. And this is just the tip of the iceberg because the data does not give the true picture,” Sharma told PTI, ahead of the anti-human trafficking workshop organised by the NCW here.

Sharma said the purpose of holding the workshop in Kashmir was to make people aware of the menace of human trafficking.

“We must now work to save our daughters and our children. This is the main purpose of making it (workshop) happen in Kashmir,” she said.

“Human trafficking is a serious crime and it does not have boundaries whether it is Kashmir or Kanyakumari. This is prevalent everywhere. And sometimes, the victims of the trafficking do not even know that they are the victims,” Sharma said.

“The main problem is due to lack of awareness. This is our first of its kind programme in Jammu and Kashmir where all the forces — state commissions, NGOs — are together to make people aware, especially the students, that nobody is out of reach of this problem,” the NCW chief said.

Sharma said the women were being trafficked under the pretext of being provided well-paying jobs.

“They give false promises of jobs here, or elsewhere in India, but they don't get paid properly and are abused. Even in Kashmir, trafficking through marriage has increased. Women are coming from West Bengal for jobs but then they are married forcibly to somebody who sexually abuses them,” she said, adding that a short film on this topic will also be screened here.

Asked when the Women's Commission in Jammu and Kashmir will be restored, she said the Centre is planning something along those lines.

“I think the process is on. Otherwise, when the state assembly is there or the state government is there, they nominate the state commission but they (Centre) are thinking something out of the box,” she said without giving further details.

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he Year on Thursday at a banquet at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

The award is given by the Tri-Cities' Rotary and Kiwanis clubs in honor of service to the community.

By tradition, Powell's identity was kept secret until it was announced by the 2022 honoree, Mark Brault. Powell is the 51st Tri-Citian of the Year and only the third woman to receive it on her own and not as part of a couple or group.

Powell was hailed as an ambassador keen to advance the interests of the local community and the state of Washington. Sylvester Neal, past president of Kiwanis International, was the keynote speaker. Chuck DeGooyer was emcee.

Director of PNNL

Powell, who lives in Richland with her husband Art King, served as director of PNNL and senior vice president of Battelle from 2000-03. Battelle operates the lab for the U.S. Department of Energy.

In retirement, she was appointed to three state committees, including the Washington State University Board of Regents, the Washington State Redistricting Committee that redrew congressional district boundaries in 2011 and the Washington State Life Science Discovery Fund Authority.

The latter enabled cutting-edge technology for Washington residents and brought funding to PNNL.

Her passion for combating human trafficking is one of her defining interests, according to the nomination submitted by Jane Foreman of Richland and Pat Tuohy of Kennewick.

Powell, they said, helped organize local Soroptimist clubs into the Tri-Cities Soroptimists Against Trafficking. She was instrumental in forming the Tri-Cities Coalition Against Trafficking, which convened local agencies to coordinate services.

Training first responders

She secured a $5,000 grant that paid to train 230 first responders, medical personnel and college students to recognize human trafficking and how to serve its victims.

A separate $5,000 grant brought a national trainer to the community for a three-day training session for 200 area residents. Some 430 people have been trained through her efforts.

On a related note, the 23-year Tri-Cities resident regularly hosts events to benefit Domestic Violence Services in both Benton and Franklin counties.

“She is a true philanthropist and graciously hosts various fundraising events in her home,” the nominators wrote. As a member of Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick, she implemented community corporate partnerships to enable the club to deepen ties to Tri-City businesses.

Powell's civic resume includes serving on the boards of Kadlec Medical Center Foundation, United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties, Tri-City Development Council, Three Rivers Community Round Table, Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Avista Corporation and Washington State Technology Alliance Board.

She has supported countless nonprofits, including the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, Delta High School and the Children's Reading Foundation.

WSU regent

Sandra Haynes, chancellor for WSU Tri-Cities, called Powell a “stellar” regent who is informed, thoughtful and highly engaged in the entire WSU system. She lent her voice to the efforts that led to the creation of the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in Spokane..

“Simply put, she has helped make my time here a joy with her willingness to share her wisdom (which is considerable),” Haynes wrote in the nomination.

Fran Forgette, 2001 Tri-Citian of the Year, preceded Powell on the WSU board. The retired Kennewick attorney said he's long admired her work ethic, engagement and effectiveness.

“If there is a job to be done for the betterment of the Tri-Cities as a whole, Lura is always there with good ideas and a willing hand,” he said.

Nancy Kerr, president of the National Children's Reading Foundation, said Powell was undaunted by the details when she helped update the foundation's business, including legal documents, financial procedures and personnel practices in 2007. Powell didn't lose interest when the job was finished.

“Lura continued to ask how CRF is doing and support our mission. She genuinely cares,” Kerr wrote.

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