A Conversation with Donna Simmons, Child Abuse Survivor and Advocate

Donna Simmons dares to believe in a world where young girls grow up free—free from abuse, exploitation and silence. A native of Kentucky, a state long shadowed by high rates of child abuse and a painful history of legal child marriage, Donna has become a leading voice for both justice and healing. Her advocacy was instrumental in reforming Kentucky law to end child marriage through parental consent, a victory that has inspired legal reform efforts across the U.S. and beyond. Donna’s work goes far beyond policy. As a survivor herself, she knows that laws don’t heal people—relationships, truth and radical compassion do. Through her powerful memoir, Ashes to Flame, she shares her journey from trauma to transformation, inviting others to find the fire within their own stories and empowering survivors to rewrite their legacy—not as victims, but as cycle-breakers, leaders and healers. Donna is also the creator and host of The Last Generation: Transforming Trauma Into Purpose, a raw and unfiltered podcast that blends lived experience with deep psychological insight. Each episode is a conversation for those daring to ask hard questions, confront inherited pain and choose a different future. With every word, Donna challenges the narrative that trauma defines us. Her voice is a catalyst for real, embodied healing—one that motivates not just awareness, but action. Whether in the halls of legislation or at the mic of her podcast, Donna Simmons is not just telling the truth. She’s helping others reclaim—and rewrite—their own legacy. Learn more:https://trauma2purpose.com⁠  Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/donna.pollard.1426 and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571541050726 Instagram- @transformingashes2flame  TikTok- @ashestoflame