Events: CURRENT | ARCHIVE

Dia de los Muertos | Life Without Parole performance | Our Voices Within '04 | Our Voices Within '03 | Our Voices Within '02 | Protest

Our Voices Within: Our Journey

On October 24th, 2004, at San Francisco's Women's Building, supporters of currently and formerly incarcerated survivors of domestic violence gathered for an inspiring celebration of freedom and collective resistance to the injustices of incarceration.

More than 250 community members gathered to hear released survivors Nora Andrade, Jeri Becker, Mary Ramp, Maria Suarez, and Melody Whitney share their powerful and moving journeys to freedom. Each implored the crowd to continue the struggle for justice for those they left behind.

Free Battered Women honored Senator John Burton & his aide, Anthony Williams, for their leadership in the fight for justice for incarcerated survivors. Senator Burton authored SB 1385, the bill sponsored by Free Battered Women that expands legal options for incarcerated survivors' release. Assembly Member Mark Leno (co-author of SB 1385) presented Free Battered Women with a proclamation from the California State Assembly commending us for our work.

Poet and activist Roopa Singh wowed the crowd with her compelling expression of resistance against incarceration, "Cradle the Sky." Youth Speaks poets Meilana Clay and Natalia Banderas brought the audience to their feet with their passionate expressions of outrage about the painful legacies of domestic violence.

The daughter of Vadilla Spragin, who died shortly after being granted compassionate release last year, spoke poignantly about prison conditions -- including contaminated water and sub-standard health care -- that contributed to her mother's death. Family members of Flozelle Woodmore spoke about the pain surrounding the Governor's recent reversal of Flozelle's parole date. Family and friends of other incarcerated survivors asked for community support for their loved ones' release.

Musical artist Anissa Primus Alston lifted the crowd's spirits with her engaging performance, and a capella group Samsara tapped into the audience's simultaneous feelings of grief and hope with their beautiful harmonies.

Throughout the afternoon, attendees had the chance to bid on wonderful artwork donated by currently and formerly incarcerated survivors of domestic violence. All proceeds from the art auction and sales of the Our Voices Within commemorative book benefit Free Battered Women.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Our Voices Within: Our Journey a success! We are grateful for all of the volunteers, co-sponsors, donors, performers, and contributors who made this celebration possible, and to all of the supporters who renewed their commitment to the struggle for justice for imprisoned survivors of domestic violence.

If you could not attend the "Our Voices Within" event but would like a copy of the 2004 commemorative book featuring poetry, prose, and select artwork by currently and formerly incarcerated survivors of domestic violence, please send $15 (includes shipping/ handling) to us at:

1540 Market Street, Suite 490, San Francisco, CA 94102

(checks payable to "FBW/LSPC"), or write to us at info(at)freebatteredwomen(dot)org to order. Bulk orders and 2003 books available at a discount -- contact us for details.