Stories
Each oral history interview in our archive contains dozens of stories. Explore them here, filtering by topic and collection.
3393 stories released to date
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Addressing racism, colorism, and solidarity among women in a prison settingLeah Faria -
Starting a nonprofit to support formerly incarcerated individuals with employment skillsWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Challenges faced by Black men in the prison system and issues of rehabilitation and labor conditionsKeith Peterkin
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Experiences and challenges transitioning from Catholic to public school in a culturally diverse environmentYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Controversy surrounding Chief Illiniwek and cultural misrepresentation at the University of IllinoisDana Talbot
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Addressing systemic bias and outdated laws affecting unemployment and poverty in KenyaTeresa Njoroge
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Prison Labor15 InterviewsExplore
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Developing the Clean Start initiative for women post-imprisonment in KenyaTeresa Njoroge
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Personal experiences and role models that shaped community involvement and advocacyCassandra Severe
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Challenges in advocacy for criminal justice reform and media representationBill Ryan
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Initial misconceptions and harsh realities of prison lifeTeresa Njoroge
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Experiences of powerlessness and violation in the prison system affecting marginalized groupsTiffany Vulcain
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Challenges of reentry and access to resources after prison releaseWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Early life and upbringing during the Great Depression in KentuckyBill Ryan
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Navigating career changes, unemployment challenges, and personal life transitionsChanel Rhymes
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Education269 InterviewsExplore
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Experiences of injustice, survival, and community support in jail and prisonWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Reflecting on human connection beyond societal barriers and striving for justiceTeresa Njoroge
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The goals and philosophy behind the Ayana Thomas InitiativeAyana Thomas
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College experiences and events leading to activism in anti-police brutality and anti-death penalty movementsAlice Kim
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Tensions in collaboration and education initiatives while incarceratedSharon White-Harrigan
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Addressing financial barriers to healthcare access for Black womenRobin Turner
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Advocating for the Clean Slate Initiative and addressing systemic barriers in criminal justice reformMarketta Sims
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Experiencing the legal system and sentencing as a young immigrant charged with serious crimesEddy Zheng
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Challenges and considerations in providing housing for women and gender nonconforming individuals with childrenYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Navigating and addressing issues of racism, colonialism, and LGBTQ rights in a women's prison facilityLinda Small
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Challenges of growing up in a non-diverse, lower middle class communityLinda Small
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Critique of the criminal justice system and its impact on marginalized groupsKeith Peterkin
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Career in community mental health and consulting before incarcerationJane Dorotik
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Creating a supportive network for women impacted by the justice systemLinda Small
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Criticism of land ownership and environmental exploitationDana Talbot
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Challenges and solutions for addressing youth issues related to addiction and street violenceDana Talbot
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Advocacy for systemic change in prison conditions and women's treatmentLinda Small
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Navigating challenges as a Black woman advocating for change in government and communityYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Growing up in New Orleans with a challenging childhood marked by domestic violence and private schoolingRonald Marshall
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Growing up in Staten Island and Greenwood, NY during the 1980s and 1990s amidst mass incarceration and povertyLauren Hansen
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Discussion on mass incarceration and the privatization of prisons as a political and economic issueDana Talbot
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Growing up in a Haitian immigrant family in a diverse suburban community in New Jersey during the 1980sCassandra Severe
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Reflecting on a mother's hard work and perseverance during challenging timesRonald Marshall
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The role of advocacy groups in addressing sexual assault and women's rights amidst political challengesLinda Evans
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Reflecting on the blessings and challenges of growing up in a residential areaSharon White-Harrigan
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Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in detention cells with women and childrenTeresa Njoroge
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Inclusive approach to advocacy addressing multiple interrelated issues faced by marginalized womenSharon White-Harrigan
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Challenges in addressing the needs of Black women and marginalized groups in educational spaces and consumer productsLauren Hansen
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Reintegration challenges and stigma faced by former prisoners in KenyaTeresa Njoroge
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Deciding to take a plea deal due to disability and legal pressureWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Navigating the intersection of housing and women's issues through the WCJA board involvementYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Reflections on systemic racism and its impact on mass incarceration and societal issuesDana Talbot
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Influence of peer group on early career ambitions and choicesKeith Peterkin
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Positive experiences and personal growth from living in a group home during childhoodWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Pursuing a career in laser hair removal and financial struggles during esthetician schoolChanel Rhymes
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Advocating for women's programs and education after incarcerationMarilyn Mulero
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Understanding and identifying as Two-Spirit within Native cultural contextsDana Talbot
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Influence of early life and family values on becoming an organizerSharon White-Harrigan
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Discovering a passion for legal studies while incarcerated and the challenges of education in prisonRonald Marshall
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Growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution and moving to the United StatesEddy Zheng
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Motivation and efforts to support women experiencing domestic violence from within a prison settingMarketta Sims
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Experiences and challenges faced by indigent individuals in prison systemsAyana Thomas
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Changes in power dynamics and safety from women's to men's prison facilitiesHeather Jo Canuel
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Addressing childhood bullying through a direct confrontation approachDenise Spencer
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Experiences growing up in public housing and aspirations for a better lifeRobin Turner
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Building community and self-worth in women's prisons through shared skills and acts of careHeather Jo Canuel
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Experiences with the justice system and challenges with police and community supportDenise Spencer
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Experiences and observations of women's pathways to prison and the impact of povertyTeresa Njoroge
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Challenges and obstacles faced by incarcerated individuals and staff attitudes toward rehabilitation and educationLeah Faria
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Connecting with Women Transcending Collective Leadership Institute through community referrals and supportCharlotte Garnes
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Supporting reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals through employment and education resourcesWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Experiencing the challenges of navigating the legal system while in jail and securing arrangements for childrenWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Reflections on resilience, personal growth, and community support through struggleSharon White-Harrigan
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Reflections on understanding and overcoming societal divides in early lifeCharlotte Garnes
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Advice for those entering advocacy and organizing work, including knowing one's limits and balancing personal lifeWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Transitioning from part-time to full-time work and advocating for incarcerated women's educationChanel Rhymes
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Adapting to life in India and gaining awareness of social inequalitiesTeresa Njoroge
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Challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals re-entering societyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Experiences and emotional challenges of life in prisonMaria Moon
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Bias and misconceptions about educational achievement and accessTeresa Njoroge
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Reflection on personal growth and challenges while in solitary confinementTiffany Vulcain
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Educational experiences and lack of career ambitions in early lifeYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Perceptions and misconceptions about prison life and incarcerationMaria Moon
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Lessons learned from community organizing and the impact on views of incarceration systemsLinda Small
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A transformative school trip to Senegal and cultural experiences in childhoodMaria Moon
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Impact of incarceration on family relationships and communication effortsKatrina Butler
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Career challenges and resilience after losing a position due to administrative issuesChanel Rhymes
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Growing up in a close-knit community in a housing developmentKeith Peterkin
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Teaching and personal growth while incarceratedTiffany Vulcain
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Family values and cultural heritage shaping identity and resilienceChanel Rhymes
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The impact of a family tragedy on a young life and its consequencesRonald Marshall
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Navigating employment challenges and supporting formerly incarcerated individualsWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Overcoming early life challenges and discouragement to become an organizerLinda Small
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Survival strategies and resource sharing in constrained environmentsMadeline Mendoza
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The importance of comprehensive education in empowering community growth and successYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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The importance of mental freedom and resilienceMichelle Clopton
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Reflections on activism, racism, and overcoming discouragement after election resultsWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Advocacy methods and personal journey to community leadership and political candidacyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Pressing issues for incarcerated women and gender nonconforming individuals in 2025Linda Evans
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Addressing systemic injustices in housing and employment for Black clientsRegnarian Jenkins
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Experiences with justice reinvestment, racial dynamics in organizations, and working in prison education programsChanel Rhymes
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Experiencing and resisting gang recruitment during adolescenceLeroy Orange
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Overcoming poverty and childhood trauma to shape personal and professional identityLauren Hansen
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Experiences with reentry after incarceration and the importance of accountability and mercyMaria Moon
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Caring for foster children and navigating a complex family situation with a relapsed family memberWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Challenges of stable housing for justice-impacted individuals and the importance of self-advocacyRegnarian Jenkins
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Experiences of educational opportunities and discrimination in prisonLauren Hansen
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Efforts to support and upskill formerly imprisoned women in Kenya through corporate partnerships and mentorship programsTeresa Njoroge
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Childhood trauma and its lasting impact from exposure to gun violence and neighborhood crimeMaria Moon
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The importance of discussing systemic issues like racism, incarceration, and mental healthDana Talbot
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The impact of personal trauma on personal development and professional workTiffany Vulcain
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Lessons learned from a grandmother's resilience and generosityMichelle Clopton
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Efforts to support incarcerated individuals and address racial disparities in the justice systemKeith Peterkin
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Childhood experiences and creativity growing up in the Henry Horner ProjectsMaria Moon
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Addressing systemic discrimination through community-building and advocacy effortsCassandra Severe
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Advocating for educational resources and technology access in prisonLauren Hansen
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Experiencing racial bias and obstacles in the criminal justice system after being wrongly accusedWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Addressing abuse and advocating for change within the prison system for Black womenKatrina Butler
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Challenges faced growing up in Greenwood Lake, including being teased for a New York accent and limited access to activitiesLauren Hansen
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Overcoming childhood challenges and achieving success through education and social workWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Finding healing and empowerment through a photography class and art exhibitMarketta Sims
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Personal growth and overcoming challenges after incarcerationKatrina Butler
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Supporting each other through personal challenges and legislative advocacy effortsDenise Spencer
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Changing perspectives on incarceration and understanding underlying issues of addiction and povertyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
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Aspirations to dismantle and reform the legal system to address systemic issuesAnisah Sabur
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Navigating racial tensions and systemic issues in response to violence against the Asian communityEddy Zheng
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Emotional experience of incarceration and personal struggles during a family milestone eventAnisah Sabur
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Challenges of overcoming bias and resistance to community reintegration for formerly incarcerated individualsYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
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Desire to work in substance abuse recovery for marginalized communitiesDana Talbot
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Experiences of bused education and its impact on after-school opportunitiesKeith Peterkin
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Childhood experiences and family challenges in a tumultuous home environmentLeroy Orange
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The impact of environment on youth and the cycle of incarcerationRonald Marshall
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Challenges in supporting women post-incarceration and addressing gender disparities in resources and opportunitiesCassandra Severe
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Family dynamics, forgiveness, and advocacy for incarcerated individualsDenise Spencer
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Experiences of trauma and coping through poetry after a hospital stayMaria Moon
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Challenging judgment and advocating for understanding of parents with incarcerated childrenDenise Spencer
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Collaborations to reinstate college programs at Bedford Hills Correctional FacilitySharon White-Harrigan
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Experiences of incarceration and the impact of the AIDS epidemic on prisonersLinda Evans
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