Annual Meeting and 50th Anniversary Kick-Off

September 8, 2018 @ 2:00 pm
September 9, 2018 @ 3:45 pm

Join us on September 8, 2018 for the 50th Anniversary of the ACLU of Virginia and our annual meeting Women in the Criminal Justice System: Pathways to Incarceration! 

ACLU-VA Annual Meeting and 50th Anniversary
September 8, 2 – 4 p.m.
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Lipman Auditorium
1651 E Parham Rd, Richmond, VA 23228

This special program will feature civil rights-themed art, music and poetry. In addition, a panel discussion will focus on the unique and disparate treatment of women in the criminal justice system – from the reasons women become entangled in the system, to the ways they are treated while incarcerated, to the types of challenges they face upon re-entering the community.

Agenda:

2 p.m. | Refreshments and networking

2:30 p.m. | Welcome

2:35 p.m. | Opening music by singer-songwriter Susan Greenbaum

2:45 p.m. | ACLU of Virginia Annual Report and 50th Anniversary Celebration Kick-Off – ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga

3:10 p.m. | Reading by poet Michael Donovan, author of the book “Hood Haiku”

3:20 p.m. | Panel Discussion on Women in the Criminal Justice System, featuring:

Kemba Smith, formerly incarcerated, nationally recognized advocate, and author of “Poster Child: the Kemba Smith Story”
Angela Antoine, formerly incarcerated, advocate and operator of House of Dreams Outreach & ReEntry, LLC, in Hampton
Heidi Christiansen, formerly incarcerated, advocate and resident of Friends of Guest House
Moderator, Nicole Tortoriello, ACLU of Virginia’s The Secular Society Women’s Rights Advocacy Counsel
4 p.m. | Closing

In addition, we are glad to have the fine folks at New Virginia Majority and Studio Two Three join us at our annual meeting and 50th anniversary kick-off! New Virginia Majority will discuss the disparate impact of felony disenfranchisement on women, and Studio Two Three will be holding a screen-printing workshop for all those who are interested. All attendees will be able to get a custom-printed ACLU-VA T-shirt (or tote) for FREE!

Right this moment, thousands of Virginian women are suffering behind bars and cycling in and out of local and regional jails because of the failed War on Drugs and lack of alternatives to sentencing. It’s past time we address the problem of women’s incarceration in the era of mass incarceration and come to terms with its disproportionate impact on women of color, LGBTQ women, women with mental illnesses, and other marginalized communities. 

We hope you will take the time to participate in this important conversation on the alarming increase of women in our prisons and jails, share your stories, and discuss policy changes that need to take place at all levels to stop the injustices of women being punished for social problems that the system fails to address.

Learn more and register today!
bit.ly/ACLUVA50th (the link is case-sensitive)

All are welcome, but seating is limited. To ensure participation, please register early!