Women Transcending (WT) focuses on the impact of the mass incarceration system on women and girls, emphasizing women's crucial roles in driving change within these systems.
About this Collection
Led by formerly incarcerated and directly-impacted women, WT strives to illuminate the factors leading women into the criminal justice system and raise awareness of the repercussions of punitive measures on individuals, families, and communities.
Empowering women to lead and effect change, WT seeks to reshape the current narrative on incarceration through projects like the Women Transcending Collective Leadership Institute, Oral History Research Project, public programming, and The Right/Write to Heal initiative in collaboration with the Center for Justice (CfJ) at Columbia University’s School of Social Work and VDay.
Collection Interviews
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Katrina Butler(New York, NY)Life coach, restorative justice facilitator, author, and entrepreneurButler recounts her journey from childhood to incarceration and post-incarceration, discussing the challenges as a Black girl in white settings, her path to theft, experiences in prison, and her advocacy and entrepreneurship.
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Debbie Kilroy(New York, NY)Human rights advocate, founder of Sisters Inside
Kilroy recounts her journey from growing up in poverty and incarceration to founding Sisters Inside, reflecting on her experiences in prison, education, and activism, the challenges she faced and the global impact of her work.
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Linda Small(New York, NY)Advocate for incarcerated women and founder of Reentry Sisters
Small recounts her early life, incarceration, and advocacy following her release, detailing her experiences with systemic inequities, the founding of the Long Timers Group in prison, and her ongoing advocacy through Reentry Sisters.
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Robin Turner(New York, NY)Educator, advocate, organizer, and humanitarian
Turner discusses her work in organizing and advocacy for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, her experiences while incarcerated, her reentry initiative to reduce recidivism, and her vision for future projects and personal growth.
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Sharon Turner(New York, NY)Community organizer, advocate, project manager, and business owner
Turner shares her journey from early life, addiction and incarceration, to becoming an activist and mentor, reflecting on her advocacy for prison reform, women's rights, and her ongoing dedication to community organizing.
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