…one of the most respected attorneys in the state, known for her fierce advocacy for children’s rights. She happened to be driving home late from a conference when she spotted what she thought was a bundle of clothes on the side of the road. Something urged her to stop. When she realized it was a young girl, barely conscious and shivering uncontrollably, her instincts kicked in.
Gloria had seen too many children suffer because adults failed them. She carefully wrapped me in the emergency blanket she always kept in her trunk, called 911, and stayed by my side until help arrived. As the ambulance sped away, she made a call of her own—to a colleague in Child Protective Services.
At the hospital, I was barely aware of my surroundings. The warmth of the room contrasted sharply with the frigid road, but my mind was still foggy from the cold. Nurses busied themselves around me, checking vitals, changing IVs, and speaking in hushed tones. I felt the warmth seep back into my limbs, coaxing me back to reality.
