By Sis. Jeanette S. Hite, Immediate Past President, WCB WMS
Most of you know well, Ms. Leslie Johnson. She continues to serve as the Chair of the Pathway to Healing and Restoration Project that was established in the Washington Conference Branch Women’s Missionary in 2017. One of the most compelling things accomplished by Ms. Johnson was the outreach letter writing campaign to incarcerated men and women across the United State. Over the years, Ms. Johnson has teamed up with missionaries Societies across the Conference and written over 4,000 letters to incarcerated men and women.
Ms. Johnson currently serves on staff at the Prince George’s County States Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy Office as the Director of Returning Services and Community Partnerships.
Recently, Ms. Johnson hosted a significant program. The Untold Stories of Justice involves women and girls in the Prison System in the State of Maryland. This is a vision of State Attorney Braveboy. The primary purpose of the conference was to relate stories of justice involved women and girls, because for too long their stories have not been told or addressed.
Over 200 persons were in attendance and heard the stories and concerns of current and formerly incarcerated women who poured out their hearts and souls and told their stories most often untold and unheard. These stories were not just insightful, but they were also deeply moving. They offered the audience profound insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by justice-involved women. Attendees were also able to hear from experts who addressed the issues and concerns raised by these women. They provided expert analysis and insights into the complex issues affecting justice involved women. They also shed light on critical matters impacting these women and empowered the audience with the knowledge and tools to support positive progress and change. Thirteen resource vendors provided invaluable information on how persons interested in this work of supporting reentry could be empowered to start a service.
CALL TO ACTION AND NEXT STEPS:
A call to action was made to the attendees after hearing the stories and issues of justice involved women. We were charged with doing something to assist justice involved women, specifically those who are currently incarcerated and those returning to our communities.
Pictured: Sis. Leslie Johnson, Prince George’s County States Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy and other organizers and speakers of The Untold Stories of Justice; Sis. Johnson speaking with a conference participant; Sis. Johnson speaking at the conference; Sis. Johnson and Sis. Jeanette S. Hite.
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