A former high school English teacher and lone, unfunded, self-motivated backpacker, she pioneered the in-depth study of the widespread practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Africa over a period of years. She gained access into medical facilities, lived with African families of all social levels, in cities, towns, villages and desert settlements and interviewed over 400 people in all walks of life in regard to the psychological, sociological, historical, sexological, marital, medical, religious and legal aspects of FGM.

An avid writer, Lightfoot-Klein has published a large number of articles in a variety of scientific and humanist journals on the topic of genital mutilation of non-consenting children in the United States and abroad.

Ms. Lightfoot-Klein holds an MA in social psychology from the American University in Washington, DC. Providing expert witness services for asylum, abuse, and other legal actions involving FGM, she is available for written depositions as well as personal testimony in Immigration Court.