Jennifer Schwesig, an international attorney at Armstrong Teasdale LLP, will be honored with the Blue Heart Award by the Gateway Alliance Against Human Trafficking (GAHT) at an award ceremony on Nov. 13. The Blue Heart Award celebrates her dedication to combating human trafficking through her professional expertise and extensive pro bono legal work.
“Human trafficking involves placing or keeping individuals in exploitative situations for economic gain,” Schwesig explains. “Women, men, and children are trafficked for various reasons, including forced labor in factories, farms, and households, as well as sexual exploitation and forced marriage. Unfortunately, St. Louis is one of the top 20 destinations in the country, so the need for organizations like GAHT is critical.”
Working with GAHT
Schwesig’s connection to GAHT grew through her involvement with the ADL, where she served alongside GAHT Executive Director Shima Rostami on the advisory board. The two discovered their shared commitment to helping vulnerable populations.
When a contractor launched a defamatory campaign against GAHT, targeting both the organization’s reputation and Rostami’s character, Rostami reached out to Schwesig for help. Schwesig, without hesitation, enlisted Armstrong Teasdale’s pro bono department to defend GAHT. This support helped GAHT counter the threat, allowing the organization to continue its mission. In the first half of 2024 alone, GAHT educated over 3,600 people on anti-human trafficking, including 2,500 middle school students through a new program.
“What makes Jennifer and Armstrong Teasdale stand out is their genuine commitment to their work and the people they help,” says Rostami. “They put justice above money, treating our cases with the same dedication and care as paying clients. Jennifer’s team gave us their time, resources, and expertise to help protect vulnerable people in our community.”
Why this honor matters
For Schwesig, fighting human trafficking is deeply personal.
“The mission of GAHT and my relationship with Shima, as well as my moral belief in human rights, made working with them an easy decision,” she shares. “I feel as though I am doing my part in helping those in need and speaking up for the marginalized and oppressed.”
