Gound Zero Survivor Speaks in Moorpark

Judith Francis arrived at work—on the 103rd floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower—to an explosion on Sept. 11, 2001.

Out the window, a blizzard of paper filled the sky. She felt the heat from the north tower penetrating through the glass.

At that moment she recalled a childhood dream that visualized her as a leader that prepared her for this day. She immediately knew she had to take action.

Francis gathered the workers in the reception area.

“Guys, we just can’t stand here waiting to be told what to do. … We need to leave the building. We need to go now,” she said, leading her colleagues toward the stairwell, she told an audience at Moorpark College gathered on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

When the second plane hit the south tower, her group was on the 86th floor; the plane hit between the 86th and 77th floors. The sheet rock and materials exploded in their faces.

On the descent, Francis said she recited Psalm 91 from the King James Bible while a voice over the speakers repeated, "Please return to your offices, we have everything under control."

Frances gave the emotional recollection at an event hosted by .

Pastor Tony Amatangelo led the ceremony honoring Francis, and also thanked the men and women of the fire and police departments of Moorpark.