published a second book, Living For Today, discussing earlier abuse by her neighbor. In 2010, Merryn helped create Erin's Law, which was the first law to be passed in the U.S. that required children to be taught sexual abuse prevention in school. The law was passed in a number of states, with New York becoming the 37th in 2019. Merryn worked with U.S. Senator Gillibrand on the federal version of Erin's Law to give federal funding to the law, and in December 2015 President Obama signed the federal version of Erin's Law under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Glamour magazine named Merryn Woman of the Year 2012, and People magazine named her one of fifteen women changing the world and a HEROES Among us in 2013. Published works Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir (HCI, 2004; ) "Take Back the Night", Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul (HCI, 2005; ) Living for Today (2009) An Unimaginable Act (2013) Bailey No Ordinary Cat (2019) The Diary of a Cat Named Carrot (2021) References 1985 births Living people 21st-century American memoirists People from Schaumburg, Illinois