The Women’s Fellowship is designed to hone the organizing skills of formerly incarcerated women of color, or those otherwise directly impacted by incarceration and the criminal justice system.
For the inaugural pilot, Community Change has selected 10 fellows.
Individual Program Page
INTRODUCTION
FELLOWS/PARTICIPANTS
Carla “Bam” Taylor
I am a community organizer committed to changing the world one heart at a time. A true Atlantan from the west side of Atlanta (Zone 1). And though formerly incarcerated, it doesn’t stop me, but drives me to be great on the “assist” to make other people great. Born to be a freedom fighter; because until we’re all free, none of us are free.
Home base: Georgia
Local organization: Women on The Rise
Dolfinette Martin
I am a mother (9), grandmother (15), sister, daughter, freedom fighting organizer who is committed to the leadership of women of color. I am directly impacted by the criminal injustice system and I have served a combined 12 years in prison. I fight each day to restore the human, civic and moral dignity of women and girls in and around my community, city, and state. I envision a world where every woman has a safe and healthy environment to thrive and heal.
Home base: Louisiana
Local organization: Operation Restoration
Jasmine Bissonette
I am a 2019 Community Change fellow from Portland, OR. I am directly impacted by the criminal justice, immigration, and foster care systems. I am a descendant of a long line of warriors from the Yakama and Oglala Lakota nations, and I am committed to combating all injustices everywhere. Home base: Oregon Local organization: Partnership for Safety and Justice
Jessica Contreras Quezada
I am a guerrera (warrior) from Guerrero, Mexico, raised in the southern state of North Carolina. I am a loving and helpful daughter, sister, partner and organizer who is directly impacted by the unjust immigration system and who works to bring justice not only to the immigrant communities but to communities of color impacted by the system of oppression built to tear us down. Home base: North Carolina Local organization: Comunidad Connectiva
Jonel Beauvais
I am your indigenous sister, Mohawk woman, a witness of imprisonment, adversity survivor, spirit lover, working to end violence, living for the next generation. I am a descendant of women of the wolf clan lineage, and I am rooted in the community of Akwesasne. Home base: Akwesasne, Mohawk Reservation Local organization: Seven Dancers Coalition
Julee Burnett
I am a daughter of the revolution standing in solidarity with my sisters to transform, educate and empower communities. I am impacted by three generations of incarceration. Breaking chains and knocking down barriers while serving a lfe sentence: on the outside of Philadelphia, PA. Home base: Pennsylvania Local organization: Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration
Noemi Romero Gomez
I am a daughter, sister, aunt, and a family advocate. Born in Mexico, raised in Arizona; I am someone who was directly impacted by the criminal and immigration systems, and I will put up a fight through whatever the struggle may be. I believe in change, and with an open heart will change the world one step at a time. Home base: Arizona Local organization: Puente Human Rights Movement
Pamela Winn
I am a formerly incarcerated activist, straight out of Atlanta Zone 3. A natural leader for dignity, fighting to restore the rights of directly impacted women of color in the south. I am fierce. I am badass. I am WINN!. Home base: Georgia Local organization: RestoreHer!
Tammy Alsaada
I am an Author, Advocate and formerly incarcerated Community Organizer from Columbus, Ohio, whose mission is to be a voice for my community by advocating for criminal justice reform issues important to grassroots community members and their families. Home base: Ohio Local organization:Peoples Justice Project!