The one-time Bollywood actress and model stepped away from the bright lights to be a beacon of hope for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
This October, in addition to a sea of people wearing pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, some — like Somy Ali — will be donning purple. She’s doing so during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to make that affliction part of the national conversation.
Ali is the founder of No More Tears, a Miami- and Plantation-based nonprofit that has saved more than 2,600 children, women, and men from physical and sexual abuse since its inception in 2007. Her goal is to set them on paths toward independent, fulfilling lives.
“Give them a bed is not enough,” Ali said. “No More Tears’ model is we give them the tools. We’re going to teach you how to fish.”
Ali was born and raised in Pakistan. She moved with her mother and younger brother to the United States when she was 12, but the stubborn girl had a crush on a Bollywood actor. Determined to meet him, Ali moved to India. She became an actress and a model, and she was even engaged to the actor for a time.