Who is Susan Burton?

Susan Burton,  founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, is one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes for 2010. Burton’s life speaks volumes to both the tragedy of punitive approaches to drug addition and to the ability of the human spirit to transcend lifes’ circumstances to become a beacon of hope for others.

Although, voting for CNN Hero of the Year Award for 2010 is over, Susan’s story still serves as inspiration for making change to prison policy, as a compelling example of the specific challenges that women of color face during reentry and as a narrative for understanding criminal justice through an intersectional lens.

Below, please find a couple videos introducing us to Susan Burton and her organization.

AAPF’s Kimberle Crenshaw and Susan Burton on GRITtv

Hope is in short supply these days, particularly for those in America’s packed prison system. California incarcerates more women than any other state, and when those women get out of jail they often have nothing more than $200 in their pockets and hope to go on. Susan Burton was one of those women once, and now she’s founder and executive director of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, a nonprofit organization that helps formerly incarcerated women get their lives back together.

Susan has been named one of CNN’s ten Heroes this year, and is in the running for the top spot, and she joins us via Skype, along with Kimberle Crenshaw, who explains just why Susan’s nomination gives her hope in a bleak time.

AAPF meets Susan Burton

AAPF’s Kimberle Crenshaw had the chance to meet with Susan Burton. Below please find a “rough cut” of our interview!

Why is A New Way of Life is Important?

The below poster gives 10 important reasons why organizations such as A New Way of Life should be supported!