On Friday, April 22, the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls will officially launch the path-breaking organization at a press conference at the National Press Club.

What:  The press conference will introduce the organizing strategies and goals of the Council. The Council is the first-ever national organization created and led by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and girls.

Who:

Andrea James, Founder of Families for Justice As Healing, Soros Justice Fellow, Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls
Topeka K. Sam, Founder of The Ladies of Hope Ministries, Justice in Education Scholar – Columbia University, Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Woman and Girls
Susan Rosenberg, writer, human rights activist, Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Woman and Girls

Amy Povah, Founder, CAN-DO Foundation – Justice Through Clemency, Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls

Sylvia Taylor-Dunn Esq., Operation Restoration, Family Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls

Nkechi Taifa, Senior Policy Analyst -Civil and Criminal Justice Reform – Open Society Foundations
Lashonia Thompson, Founder of Women Involved in Reentry Efforts (W.I.R.E.), Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls

Jesslyn McCurdy, Legislative Counsel – American Civil Liberties Union

Lois Ahrens, Founder of The Real Cost of Prisons Project, Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls

Justine Moore – Families for Justice as Healing, Member- National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls

Phyllis Hardy, Families for Justice as Healing, Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls

Angelyn Frazer, Director of State Legislative Affairs and Special Projects – National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Dorothy Johnson-Speight, Founder, Mothers In Charge – Philadelphia, PA, Organization Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls

Karen Garrison, Mommie Activist and Sons, Member – National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls

When:             Friday, April 22, 2016, 9:30-11:00 AM

Where:            The National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Murrow Room, Washington, DC 20045

Why:               The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls supports the work of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and girls who are contributing to changing the criminal justice system by working individually or within organizations. Members support one another by sharing their knowledge and powerful experiences. Council members know firsthand the impact of the current criminal justice policies. We know the realities of incarceration, the many hurdles women face after returning home, and what changes are necessary to shift the system to one based on human dignity and social justice.

By bringing together policy makers, academics, researchers, and the public in dialogue with Council members, we strive to ensure that when policies, laws, practices, organizing and services about women and girls who are or were incarcerated are decided upon, our voices and ideas are included.  Our mantra is “Nothing about us, without us!” This is a big goal. We believe it is attainable. Through connecting with each other and freely sharing information, insights and strengths, we can create the opportunities to have our voices heard and collectively build new and just policies grounded in human rights.