Reconstructing Womanhood:  Understanding the Voices of Female Offenders
A Documentary Screening, Performance, and Discussion

Coppin State University, Baltimore
Thursday, October 14, 2004

The documentary "What I Want My Words To Do To You" offers an unprecedented look into the minds and hearts of women inmates by engaging them in a writing workshop led by playwright and activist Eve Ensler.  During this workshop, women delved into their pasts and explored the nature of their crimes and the extent of their own culpability. 

Inspired by this approach, Civic Frame illuminated the wrenching personal journeys of some of Baltimore's former female offenders who were brave enough to find the words to tell their own stories.  During this public performance they shared their hopes, fears, dreams and the challenges they ponder as they craft their strategy for reentry into society.  Additionally, advocates who support reentry initiatives for female offenders shared the challenges and successes they experienced while working with these women.

Panelists: 

Mary Joel Davis
Executive Director
Alternative Directions, Inc. 

Dr. Joan Gillece
Co-Founder, Tamar's Children
Director of Special Populations
Mental Hygiene Administration
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Glynnis Gladden
Account Executive
STRIVE Baltimore 

Kimberly Haven
Campaign Director
The Campaign for Treatment Not Incarceration
Maryland Justice Coalition

Alfreda Robinson
Executive Director
National Women's Prison Project

Additional participants included Rae Anthony, Sandra Adams, Sherry Brown,  Shirldene Brown, Diane Davenport, Marc Holden, Rinnay Johnson, Jonelle Lamberth, Cynthia Montague, Martina Robinson, Yolanda Scott, Charlene Smith and Clarice Snowden.

Reconstructing Womanhood participants included Rae Anthony, Sandra Adams, Sherry Brown, Shirldene Brown, Diane Davenport, Mary Joel Davis, Dr. Joan Gillece, Glyniss Gladden, Kimberly Haven, Marc Holden, Rinnay Johnson, Jonelle Lamberth, Cynthia Montague, Alfreda Robinson, Martina Robinson, Yolanda Scott, Charlene Smith and Clarice Snowden.

Attendance:  123 persons, 15 female former offenders offered personal accounts
Resource Connections:  20 women connected with transitional entities that assist former female offenders.

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