Stories
Each oral history interview in our archive contains dozens of stories. Explore them here, filtering by topic and collection.
670 stories released to date
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Reflecting on the importance of leaving a positive legacy through her childrenTeronia Scott-Campbell -
The challenges and empathy needed for incarcerated individuals during the pandemicStephanie Hammerwold
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Challenges of prison reform and the impact of location on rehabilitative programmingAmber-Rose Howard
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Influence of Black female mentors during upbringing and education journeyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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The role of curiosity and hope during challenging timesMonica Cosby
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Reflecting on early life events, family dynamics, and formative experiences
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Self-discovery through education and understanding systemic issuesPamela Neely
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Advocacy for reparations and reflections on systemic injustice in ChicagoDarrell Cannon
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Core personal values shaped by love, forgiveness, faith, education, and familyYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Experiences of incarceration and personal transformation
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Reflections on the impact of systemic issues and community support in a Chicago neighborhoodMichael Anderson
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Advocacy for women's rights and health issues in prisons
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Reflections on understanding and overcoming societal divides in early lifeCharlotte Garnes
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Balancing work within formal organizations and personal community involvementDana Talbot
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Experiencing discrimination and witnessing the intersection of activism and faith in prison
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Pursuing higher education and challenges in achieving diversity in academic cohortsSelina Fulford
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Providing comprehensive reentry support for individuals returning from incarcerationLa Tanya Jenifor-Sublett
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Overcoming probation challenges to pursue higher education and law schoolJames White III
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Becoming program coordinator for Free Battered Women at CCWP
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Building solidarity and support among women through open communication and collaborationRobin Turner
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Growing up in Ferguson, Missouri and experiencing predatory policingJames King
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Effort to restore voting rights for individuals with felony convictions through petition collectionDavid Ayala
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Counseling women in prison and personal growth through shared experiencesKatrina Butler
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Coping with an abusive and strict parent through sibling support and humorJoseph Hankins
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Encouraging involvement in prison organizational structures and personal change through participationJane Dorotik
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Influential mentors and their impact on personal development and advocacySappho Fulton
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Advocacy against the death penalty and efforts for a moratorium in IllinoisBill Ryan
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Finding strength and purpose while in solitary confinement through advocacy and community supportEddy Zheng
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Evading capture during a prison riot and witnessing the warden's responseDanny Dandridge
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Connecting with outside educators and the impact on legal education in prison
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Hopes for a legacy focused on community, love, and truthSharon White-Harrigan
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The importance of civic engagement and voting educationDena Dickerson
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Addressing mental health issues as a means to reduce mass incarceration, especially for womenTaquittee Sheree Cross
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Unexpected experiences and connections during time in prisonTiffany Vulcain
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Making early life decisions and prioritizing family over education and military careerRegnarian Jenkins
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Involvement with the Women's Advisory Council and unexpected leadership opportunityKelly Savage-Rodriguez
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Personal transformation and inspiration from supportive mentors during reentry from incarcerationCassandra Severe
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Experiences of trauma and coping through poetry after a hospital stayMaria Moon
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Challenges of implementing gender-responsive programs in prisons and advocating for women's educationLinda Small
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The role of shared meals in building community and camaraderieGlenn Martin
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Conversion of closed prisons to ICE detention centers and related legislative effortsBrian Kaneda
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Formation and impact of the Renaldo Hudson Mercy CommitteeRenaldo Hudson
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Memorable moments and triumphs from involvement in prison work focused on women's education and supportYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Addressing racial discrimination and tensions in a correctional facilityMichael Anderson
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Skills and strategies for navigating systemic obstacles and improvisation within the prison systemSharon White-Harrigan
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The challenges and dynamics of organizing for change among female inmatesMichelle Clopton
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Racial disparities and gender issues in mass incarcerationSharon Smith
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Entering the prison system as a juvenile and its impactJames White III
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Explaining the concept of a C-51 in prison contextDanny Dandridge
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Securing employment assistance after incarceration through the Center for Employment OpportunitiesRegnarian Jenkins
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Providing support and encouragement to someone on suicide watchLeslie Credle
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Challenges faced by incarcerated women regarding nutrition, education, and basic needsLinda Small
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Reflections on political engagement and perceptions of politiciansSusan Bustamante
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Encountering racial prejudice and segregation in Chicago during childhood
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Impact of political involvement on personal values and beliefs
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Journey to involvement with CCWP and advocacy for domestic violence victims
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Experiences and differences between adolescent and adult facilities at Rikers IslandJarrell Daniels
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Reflecting on personal growth and leadership realization while incarcerated
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A cherished childhood memory of peaceful moments spent on a homemade patio swingKatrina Butler
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Experiences of retaliation and challenges during incarceration
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Reflecting on organizing and education efforts in a reparations movementDarrell Cannon
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Inspiring stories of student achievement against odds in education programsDena Dickerson
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Building community and advocating for fair treatment within prisonMary Shields
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Gaining media coverage and public platforms to share a personal story while on death rowRenaldo Hudson
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Experiences of racial tension and segregation growing up in GeorgiaCharlotte Garnes
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Surviving and advocating against the conditions in Illinois prisonsDarrell Cannon
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Avoiding involvement in a prison riot and mediating peace between rival gangsJarrell Daniels
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Prison housing reorganization and activities following riots
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Organizing educational initiatives and law-related victories while incarcerated
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Transitioning from volunteer to full-time employment after involvement in a reform programDebbie Kilroy
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Perceptions of the likelihood of execution in Illinois during the 1990sStanley Howard
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Experiences with parole officers and challenges in the halfway house systemMonica Cosby
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Inmates being used to search for contraband in prison
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Adjusting to emotional vulnerability and life after incarcerationJarrell Daniels
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Reflections on Harold Washington's impact and the city's changes after his passing
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Early life curiosity and questioning authority shaping organizing workDebbie Kilroy
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Contrasting media portrayal of prison life with harsh realities faced by inmates and their familiesKimberly Garner
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Childhood activities and early involvement in social justice and activismJoe Moreno
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Addressing and navigating discrimination and bias in professional environmentsRobin Turner
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Challenges and considerations in providing housing for women and gender nonconforming individuals with childrenYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Performing as an inmate band in Illinois prisons and winning battle of the bands competitionsDarrell Cannon
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The future role of CCWP in advocacy and justice landscapeZoe Dorado
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Retaliation and racial discrimination faced while advocating for inmate rights
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Experiences in various California women's correctional facilities
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Discovering a passion and purpose during a one-year fellowship experience
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Pursuing a career in laser hair removal and financial struggles during esthetician schoolChanel Rhymes
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The importance of building connections in activism and how to effectively network
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Transition from gang affiliation to joining the Nation of Islam in prisonJarrell Daniels
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Family history and neighborhood dynamics in Chicago during the 1960s and 1970s
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Experiences with corruption and employment within a correctional facility systemDanny Dandridge
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