Vote Presents: Formerly Incarcerated Women & Girls Day

Women and girls are the glue that hold our families together, but they are also demonized, oppressed and stripped of their dignity for their suffering. When they are taken out of the home it affects the entire community – and Black women are incarcerated at double the rate.

On Friday, Dec. 15, we stood together with Women with a Vision, BreakOUT!, Operation Restoration, The National Council, and The Center for Community Change to bring our sisters home in a march and rally to wake up and shake up Louisiana!

#FreeHer #ICannotBeFreeUntilYouAre #BlackWomensLivesMatter

watch the livestream RECORDING

This is not just a one-day, one-time event. It is the beginning of a movement to take hold of and change the current narrative of mass incarceration to make it inclusive of all those who are impacted. The event kicks off  VOTE’s 2018 advocacy campaign which will have both local and state reach. It is time to lift up women and girls, share their stories with the public and change the laws and policies that create additional harm through civic engagement.

Help us bring women and girls home for the holidays this year by paying their bonds, and launch our campaign for dignity by donating today.

GIVE TO WOMEN & GIRLS

TAKE ACTION

We call on Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to schedule a hearing on the issue of female incarceration and its impact on public safety and communities across America.

SIGN THE #CUT50 PETITION

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OUR STORIES

the stats

• The United States holds 30% of the world’s incarcerated women.

• The current narrative of mass incarceration is dominated by the impact on black men and boys. Women and girls are rarely, if ever, part of the dialogue. 

• From 1984-2014 the rate of incarceration for women increased by 700% with black women incarcerated at twice the rate of white women.​

• The vast majority of incarcerated women are survivors of abuse, violence and poverty.
  

• Women cannot get supplies they need for personal hygiene and access to medical and mental health care that specifically address their needs.

• Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the world and the Greater New Orleans area accounts for the most incarcerated population in the state.

• New Orleans elected its first female Mayor with a new administration. The opportunities exist to bring formerly incarcerated women and girls to the table, so their voices can be heard

DONATE

This is the beginning of a movement to take hold of and change the current narrative of mass incarceration to be inclusive of all those who are impacted. It is time to lift up women and girls to the public and change the laws and policies that create additional harm through civic engagement.

Help us bring women and girls home for the holidays this year by paying their bonds, and launch our campaign for dignity by donating today.

GIVE TO WOMEN & GIRLS

ABOUT VOTE

VOTE is a grassroots, membership-based organization founded and run by formerly incarcerated persons (FIPs) in partnership with allies. We are dedicated to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions.

We believe that FIPs, their loved ones, and their communities can use their experiences and expertise to improve public safety in New Orleans. Through civic education and participation, VOTE increasingly mobilizes a strong group of leaders to transform our city’s criminal justice system.