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Upcoming Events

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Past Events

WPA Celebrates 165 Years of Service

 

On June 2, 2010 WPA celebrated our 165th Anniversary and the extraordinary leadership of WPA Founder Abigail Hopper Gibbons, who championed WPA and secured major reforms for women's prisons and jails. WPA saluted this year's outstanding honorees, Dr. Cheryl L. Clark and Susan M. Moss, Esq., for their work to ensure public welfare and social justice.

 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Honors WPA for Service to the Community

On October 17, 2009 The Tau Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) honored WPA for our service to the community.  AKA is the nation's oldest Greek-letter organization, established in 1908 by African American women.More information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is available on their website. 

WPA and Lynn Whitfield Honor Wally Lamb and Patricia T. Marshall

On June 2nd, 2009 in New York City, WPA honored acclaimed author Wally Lamb and WPA Board Member Patricia T. Marshall at our Annual Benefit Dinner. Emmy Award winning actress Lynn Whitfield hosted.

 

A WOMAN'S WORK - Fundraising Dance Party for WPA

On March 18th, 2009, hundreds turned out to see Hip Hop icons Naughty By Nature perform and celebrity DJ's D-Nice and DJ Cassidy spin sets at A Woman's Work - the fundraising dance party for the Women's Prison Association. The event was held at Southpaw in Brooklyn, NY. Special hosts included Hazelle Goodman (actress/comedian), Leon (actor), & Free (Power 105.1). Hanifah Walidah (poet/activist) & Liza Jessie Peterson (poet/activist) performed, and former clients of WPA shared their inspiring stories.

Thanks to our event sponsors: The Source Magazine, BKNY Printing, Washington-Koen Media and Our Time Press.

WPA Marks World AIDS Day at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility

In August 2008, The Women’s Prison Association coordinated a walk-a-thon in the prison yard of Bedford Correctional Facility. Now in its fifteenth year, the Bedford AIDS Walk raised a record-breaking $1,000 and also broke its attendance record with more than 300 participants.

Following the remarkable success of the walk, WPA held a ceremony on December 6, 2008 for World AIDS Day in Bedford Hills Correctional Facility’s gymnasium and presented the $1,000 check to Iris House for the agency’s comprehensive services and advocacy on behalf of women, families, and communities infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Yolanda Johnson-Peterkin, WPA’s Director of Operations for Reentry Services, emceed the ceremony and actor Leon (known for his film roles in “The Five Heartbeats”, “The Little Richard Story”, “The Temptations”, and the HBO hit series “Oz”) spoke about the impact the virus has had on the African-American community, and said:

"It was a heartwarming experience to visit and speak to some of the inmates at Bedford Hills. The joy on their faces to see me was truly humbling and the strength of those women in that auditorium who were trying to better themselves is uplifting. I will surely do it again. "

The dynamic speaker and member of the NAACP, Thomasetta Harper, inspired the 300 attendees with her moving words, while everyone enjoyed the inmate choir, poetry and dance troupe performances. A moment was held in memory of the loved ones who have perished because of the disease.

Misan Oroye-Lane, Manager of WPA’s Prison-Based Services, and Thomas Phillips, Director of Reentry Services, worked hard to make both events possible. WPA applauds the dedication and contribution of everyone involved!

Women's Advocacy Project Graduation: Investing in Education

On January 29th advocates from the Women's Advocacy Project's sixth class presented their policy recommendations on investing in education in prison and in the community.  Read their recommendations.

Panel: From Prison to Empowerment

On January 28th WPA co-sponsored a panel discussion at NYU's Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service: From Prison to Empowerment: Women Advocates Take on the Criminal Justice System. 

New Directions for Drug Policy in New York

WPA proudly partnered with the Drug Policy Alliance and the New York Academy of Medicine on their two-day conference, New Directions for New York: A Public Health and Safety Approach to Drug Policy, on January 22nd and 23rd. 

WPA Celebrates 135 Years at Hopper Home

On October 2nd, friends and supporters of WPA gathered at historic Hopper Home to celebrate WPA's legacy of helping criminal justice involved women and their families.

Executive Director Georgia Lerner spoke about WPA’s longstanding history of service that has offered thousands of women the opportunity for change.  Ms. Lerner was followed by a musical collaboration by Michou and Davi Vieira. WPA staff member and poet, Starr, also captivated the audience with her spoken word. Wine was generously donated by AOC Fine Wines.

WPA would like to thank all who attended the open house, and to the artists who shared their talent and energy in support of WPA.

WPA Headlines Reentry Research Series at John Jay College

On September 12th, WPA helped launch the Prisoner Reentry Institute's Fall Occasional Series on Reentry Research. Venezia Michalsen, a professor at Montclair State University and formerly of WPA, presented the results of the WPA original research report “Women, Reentry and Everyday Life: Time to Work?” Respondents included Alison Link, a Consultant at the Leisure Link, and Nancy O’Brien, Transitional Advocate at the Center for Community Alternatives.

Reentry Film Series Kicks Off with Focus on Women

The Prisoner Reentry Institute at John Jay College of Criminal Justice launched its Reel Reentry film series on Tuesday, June 24 from 5:00- 7:30 PM with a screening of Sherrybaby.  Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, the film documents a 19-year old woman’s struggle to regain custody of her young daughter after serving three years in prison.  WPA's Yolanda Johnson-Peterkin moderated a discussion of the film following the screening.

Brick Presbyterian Church Honored at WPA Benefit Dinner

On June 4th, WPA presented the Sarah Powell Huntington Leadership Award at its Annual Benefit Dinner at the Yale Club in New York City. This award recognizes those who have given their time, energy, and commitment to the needs and concerns of the women and families we serve. WPA is thrilled to have presented this year’s award to The Brick Presbyterian Church of New York City in recognition of the congregation’s vision, compassion, and commitment to public welfare and social justice.

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Financial Consequences of Criminal Convictions - May 15

WPA will took part in a panel discussion of how fines, fees, and surcharges affect people convicted of criminal offenses.

Sponsor: The New York County Laywers' Association
Date and Time: May 15, 2008 - 6:00 PM
Location: NYCLA Home of Law, 14 Vesey Street, Manhattan

Panelists: Sarah B. From (WPA); Hon. Hakim Jeffries (NYS Assembly); Glenn Martin (Fortune Society); Alan Rosenthal (Center for Community Alternatives); Michael Yavinsky (NYC Criminal Court)
Moderator: David Udell (Brennan Center for Justice)

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WPA on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show - February 20th

On Wednesday, February 20th, the Women’s Prison Association was featured on the Brian Lehrer Show, the flagship public affairs program on WNYC radio. The show can be heard on the Brian Lehrer Show website.

The segment included a member of WPA’s Women’s Advocacy Project; WPA’s Director of Public Policy & Communications, Sarah From; and Kathy Coughlin, Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Discharge Planning, NYC Department of Correction. The three discussed how formerly incarcerated women are influencing criminal justice policy debates in New York.

Learn more about the Women's Advocacy Project by clicking here.

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The Nexus Between Education, Employment & Successful Reintegration
November 19, 2007 - WPA's Director of Reentry Services, Yolanda Johnson-Peterkin, discussed the importance of higher education at a one-day conference sponsored by the National HIRE Network and College and Community Fellowship. Click here to view the agenda for the day.

WPA Testifies at NY State Sentencing Commission Hearing
November 13, 2007- WPA testified before the New York State Commission on Sentencing Reform today in response to the Commission's preliminary report.

Click here to read WPA's testimony to the Commission on Sentencing Reform.

Click here to read the Commission's Preliminary Report.
Click here for more information about the schedule of public hearings.

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WPA Co-Chaired Community Substance Abuse Conference

WPA proudly co-chaired the Brownsville/East New York Child Welfare Neighborhood Network’s 5th Annual Substance Abuse Training Conference, Fighting Substance Abuse To Save Our Communities. The conference was held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at the Brooklyn Children’s Center. The conference was a collaboration between The New York State Office of Mental Health, NYC ACS and other service providers.

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What Happens When Prisoners Are Released?

Panel Discussion Hosted by the Women's City Club of New York
Thursday, October 25, 2007
MODERATOR: Susan Tucker, Open Society Institute
PANELISTS:
Barry Campbell, The Fortune Society
Sarah From, Women’s Prison Association
Roberta Meyers-Peeples, National H.I.R.E. Network
Jennifer Parish, Urban Justice Center

This program looked at the many needs of people reentering our communities from city jails and state prisons, among them jobs, housing, and treatment for substance abuse and mental health problems. Panelists discussed if, and how, these needs are being met and what more can be done.

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WPA Honors Board Member Joan Findlay Dunham and Sherrybaby Writer and Director Laurie Collyer

On May 15, WPA held an Annual Awards Dinner at the Yale Club in New York City to secure support for the critical services we provide and to honor those who give their time, energy, and commitment to the needs and concerns of the women and families we serve.  This year, WPA presented the Isaac T. Hopper Award to Joan Findlay Dunham.  A WPA Board member since 1996, Ms. Dunham has put her convictions around criminal justice policy into action through her tireless support of WPA programs, in particular our Family Preservation Program in East New York, and through her work in prison programs through St. James’ Church.  WPA also honored acclaimed screenwriter and director Laurie Collyer with the Sarah Powell Huntington Leadership Award.  Ms. Collyer’s latest film, Sherrybaby, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, presents a candid account of the challenges that criminal justice-involved women face as they return to the community. WPA Board President Gena Lovett emceed the event.  C. Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice President of Sotheby's North and South America, conducted a live auction.  WPA appreciates the many supporters in our community who made this event possible.

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WPA Discusses the Intersection of the Criminal Justice and Immigrant Detention Systems

On April 27, WPA spoke on a panel convened by the Detention Watch Network.  Sarah From, Deputy Director of the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice, was joined by Mark Mauer from The Sentencing Project and Debbie Reyes from the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment.  Benita Jain from the NYSDA Immigrant Defense Project moderated.  The panel addressed the use of detention and deportation as an immigration enforcement tactic.  Additionally, the panelists shared their analyses of the causes of the growth in immigration detention, identified strategies for the immigrant rights community to consider in the fight against the growing trend of incarcerating non-citizens, and discussed the opportunities and challenges of building cross-sectoral alliances.

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Top Researchers Discuss Forthcoming Institute Report at Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences’ Conference

On March 16, 2007, the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice convened a roundtable discussion at the Academy Criminal Justice Sciences’ Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA.  The discussion focused on the Institute’s forthcoming second report on punitiveness in the imprisonment of women and featured Dr. Natasha Frost, the report’s author. Prominent researchers, Dr. Katherine Beckett, of Washington State University, and Dr. Meda Chesney-Lind, of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, served as discussants.

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WPA Presents at a Forum Focusing on the Impact of Incarceration on Families

On April 19, Institute on Women & Criminal Justice Deputy Director, Sarah From, presented at a New York Women’s Foundation public education forum.  The forum brought together criminal justice advocates as well as formerly incarcerated women to discuss the impact of incarceration on families.  The evening also featured a film produced by Oxygen Media, narrated by journalist, Lisa Ling, Daughters Left Behind.  This event was in partnership with Oxygen Media and was hosted by the Open Society Institute. Read Sarah From’s Remarks.

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Ann Jacobs , WPA Executive Director, Appears on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360

On Tuesday, February 20, and Friday, February 23, Ann Jacobs appeared in a special on incarcerated women in America on Anderson Cooper 360.  The pieces were part of “Incarcerated”, a week-long look at America’s use of incarceration.  Please visit CNN’s website for more information.

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WPA presents at the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ Annual Conference

On February 7-9, Georgia Lerner, WPA Associate Executive Director, presented at the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ Annual Conference. For more information about the conference, please visit http://www.naeh.org/.

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Women’s Advocacy Project’s 4th Class Graduation

On January 8, 2007, the fourth class of the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice’s Women’s Advocacy Project graduated from the program. The Women’s Advocacy Project is a yearlong advocacy and leadership program for women with histories of criminal justice involvement. Congratulations to all the participants on a job well done!

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WPA Appears on Panel at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

On Friday, December 15 at 8:30am, WPA Executive Director, Ann Jacobs, appeared on John Jay College of Criminal Justice’s Women and Incarceration panel. The event took place at John Jay College and was a part of the College's Occasional Series on Reentry Research.

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TeenTalk Features Women's Advocacy Project

On December 7, members of the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice’s Women’s Advocacy Project appeared on the New York City Board of Education’s TeenRadio. This was a live program, with a call-in segment, that focused on the effect a parent’s drug addiction has on their minor children. The program aired on 91.5FM.

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WPA Presents at Vassar College

On December 3, Sarah From, Deputy Director of the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice, lectured to the students in the Prison Fieldwork Program at Vassar College.

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WPA Presents at NYU College of Nursing

On Wednesday, November 8th, Danielle Coscia, WPA Director of Program Operations for Reentry Services, and Les Hayden, WPA Director of Program Development and Quality Management, spoke to the NYU College of Nursing about the issues facing criminal justice-involved women, specifically the special needs that mental health clients and women living with HIV/AIDS face upon reentry.

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WPA Co-Chairs Substance Abuse Conference

On Tuesday, November 7, the Brownsville/East New York Child Welfare Neighborhood Network presented its 4th Annual Training Conference, which WPA co-chaired. This conference brought together the Administration for Children Services, contracted agencies and other community stakeholders who are committed to providing a culturally sensitive and family-oriented approach to children’s services. The conference was held at the New York State Office of Mental Health Children’s Center in Brooklyn, NY. 3 CASAC credits were given.

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WPA Presents at the American Society of Criminology

On Thursday, November 2, WPA Executive Director, Ann Jacobs, WPA Director of Analysis and Client Information Systems, Venezia Michalsen, and Northeastern University Assistant Professor, Dr. Natasha Frost, presented at the American Society of Criminology’s Democracy, Crime and Justice conference in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit the American Society of Criminology on the web.

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WPA Holds Annual Benefit Dinner

On Tuesday, May 23, WPA’s Annual Benefit Dinner was held at the Yale Club in New York City. Catherine Crier, host of Catherine Crier Live on Court TV, emceed the event. WPA Board member Valerie S. Mason and community volunteer Libba Claude were honored for their dedicated service. Cristina Rathbone read excerpts from her new book, A World Apart, a compelling work that connects the stories of women at MCI-Framingham, a women’s prison in Massachusetts, to the history of women’s incarceration.  And, C. Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice President of Sotheby's North and South America, conducted a live auction.

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Women in Prison: An International Perspective

On Wednesday, March 15, WPA hosted Hilde van den Boogaart as she shared her experiences of working with women in prison in Germany in a lively discussion, followed by a reception.  Ms. van den Boogaart is the former head of the women’s facility in Hamburg, Germany and is currently at the state correctional facility in Schleswig-Holstein.  The event was held at JEHT Foundation and was open to the public.

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Alternatives to Deportation: How to Work with Immigrants in the Criminal Justice System

On Tuesday, March 14, WPA, in conjunction with the Alternative to Incarceration Coalition, conducted a special training.  Presenters included Marianne Yang, Director of the NYSDA Immigrant Defense Project, Manuel Vargas, Senior Counsel of the NYSDA Immigrant Defense Project, and Subhash Kateel, Community Organizer and Advocate with Families for Freedom.  The presentation detailed the legal intersection of immigration law and the criminal justice system. Download the PDF of the Training Materials. This event was held at the New York University School of Law’s Furman Hall and was open to the public. 

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Family Law Mini-Library Ribbon-Cutting on Rikers Island

On Tuesday, February 14, 2006, the New York City Department of Correction opened the Family Law Mini-Library at Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island.  DOC Commissioner Martin Horn, Deputy Commissioner Kathy Coughlin, and Rose M. Singer Warden Michelle Mack, were in attendance.   The idea for this project came from the advocacy of the third class of the Women’s Advocacy Project.  The Women’s Advocacy Project is a program of the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice that provides advocacy and leadership training to women who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system.

The materials for the library were generously donated by the Volunteers of Legal Services (VOLS).  By utilizing this section of the library, incarcerated women on Rikers Island will have the opportunity to do legal research regarding their parental rights and responsibilities.  These books and aids, which are available in English and Spanish, will be an invaluable tool for women trying to maintain parental rights and/or re-unite with their children.

Speaking at the event, Women’s Advocacy Project participant Diane Smith said, “The women of the Women’s Advocacy Project provided the seed for this project.  The Department of Correction provided the water.  Now, by using these resources, the women here at Rose M. Singer will grow.”  We commend DOC and VOLS for their leadership in this initiative.   And, we congratulate the Women’s Advocacy Project on their work on behalf of women involved in the criminal justice system.

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2006 Annual Meeting of the WPA Board of Directors

The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors was held on Tuesday, January 24th, 2006 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Attendees heard first-hand about WPA and its services, criminal justice policies and their impact on women in the system, and joined in recognizing staff and volunteers for their outstanding commitment to the mission of the organization.

Valerie Mason, outgoing WPA Board President, Ann L. Jacobs, WPA Executive Director, and alumna Michette Alvarez gave remarks.

Our keynote speaker was Vanita Gupta, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund who is known for her role in overturning the convictions in the well-publicized Tulia, Texas drug sting case.  In July 1999, on a single day, 10 percent of Tulia’s African American community was arrested, charged and later convicted of drug-related crimes in proceedings that reeked of racial bias and discrimination.  Ms. Gupta orchestrated a complex campaign to free the jailed defendants and to seek reversals of the convictions. 

Thank you to everyone who made this event a success.

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2005 Annual Benefit Dinner

On Monday, May 23, 2005 at the Yale Club, WPA honored those who give their time, vitality and commitment to the needs and concerns of the women we serve at our annual Benefit Dinner.

This year, we presented the Isaac T. Hopper Award to Gena Lovett in recognition of her years of dedicated work as a member of the WPA Board. We were also pleased to present The Sarah Powell Huntington Leadership Award to Cathleen Raffaeli, a veteran executive with more than 23 years' experience in several leading financial and high tech services companies.

View WPA’s 2005 Annual Benefit Photos

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Judith Greene of Justice Strategies Speaks at WPA Annual Board Meeting

Nationally renowned policy analyst Judith Greene, an expert on prison expansion and sentencing reform, spoke at the WPA Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors on Wednesday, January 26th, 2005.

One hundred fifty people were in attendance at the meeting, which was held in the courtroom of Brooklyn Borough Hall. Awards were presented to outstanding staff and volunteers in recognition of their contributions to WPA.

A former client of WPA – and a current resident of our permanent housing in East New York, Brooklyn – spoke about the role that WPA played in her journey from addiction to independence.

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WPA Honors Eve Ensler and Rose Kean Lansbury

At WPA’s Annual Benefit Dinner on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, friends, supporters, and staff gathered at the Union Club in New York to pay tribute to the organization and its work.

WPA honored Eve Ensler, the Obie-Award winning playwright of The Vagina Monologues, founder of V-Day (a global movement to stop violence against women and girls), and executive producer of the PBS documentary What I Want My Words To Do To You. Ms. Ensler’s documentary focuses on a writing group she led at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Ms. Ensler received the Sarah Powell Huntington Leadership Award for her vision, compassion, and deep commitment to public welfare and social justice.

Rose Kean Lansbury, a long-time WPA board member and committed philanthropist, was honored with the Isaac T. Hopper Award for her long-standing support of WPA’s mission.

Two women who have received services at WPA – one of whom, while incarcerated, had taken part in Ms. Ensler’s writing workshop – spoke about their own personal journeys from prison to leading productive, positive lives in the community.

WPA thanks all who attended and made the evening a success. Your support is invaluable.

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WPA Releases Report in Honor of the Tenth Anniversary of Sarah Powell Huntington House

On October 23, 2003 WPA celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Sarah Powell Huntington House with a report chronicling its history of success. NYC Commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services, Linda Gibbs, spoke at the anniversary event. WPA opened Huntington House, a 28-unit apartment building on the Lower East Side, in 1993. Huntington House provides a transitional residence with supportive services for 37 homeless, criminal justice-involved women who seek reunification with their children. Since its opening, Huntington House has been home to over 300 women working to reconnect to their families and communities.  

For more information about Huntington House and other family reunification services offered by WPA, click here.