North Texas Woman chosen to attend United State of Women summit in D.C.

A North Texas woman has been selected to attend the United State of Women summit in Washington D.C. to help empower others to break free from domestic violence.

25-year-old Midlothian resident Kimberly Claborn has first-hand experience with the subject. She’s had a painful childhood, but says those experiences shaped her into the woman she is today.

When she was nearly two-years-old, Claborn says she was neglected and underweight. She was taken away from her parents and placed in her grandmother’s custody. She seemed to flourish while living with her grandmother, but says her mother remained trapped in an abusive relationship.

“She was isolated. He wouldn't even let her talk on the phone with me or really anybody,” said Claborn.

It would take 22 years for Claborn to find the help she and her mother needed. A google search led her to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and a woman who would change her life.

"All I ever knew about her was her name was Francesca but she was the light at the end of the tunnel. She gave me advice on how to approach my mom on this," said Claborn.

In October of 2014, Claborn says her mom left her dad. Since that day Claborn has taken her story public.

She found out, this week she had been selected to attend the United State of Women Summit after a video she posted online went viral last December, "it's amazing I never would've expected any of this."

The summit aims to educate and inspire women to take action. Now, Claborn says she has millions of women messaging her to say thank-you for giving them hope.

Claborn has her airfare covered, but she does need her help covering the cost of her hotel room. You can find a link to her gofundme page HERE if you’d like to make a donation.