RestoreHER LeadHERship
RestoreHER is spearheaded by a transformative peer-to-peer leadership model, championed by justice-involved women directly impacted by trauma, convictions, incarceration, post-incarceration challenges, and pregnant women behind bars. The organization’s founder, staff, and general board are predominantly composed of directly impacted women of color from the southern region. Complementing this leadership structure is an Advisory Board comprising experts from academia, medical, legal, and public policy realms, alongside women with direct experience. Together, they engage in participatory research to address the social determinants of criminalization and intersectionality. Through collaborative efforts, RestoreHER strives to develop a comprehensive set of principles and advocate for policies that address the overlooked needs of directly impacted women of color and incarcerated pregnant women. This approach underscores a commitment to dismantle systemic barriers and pave the way for transformative change within the criminal justice system.
Through this dynamic process, RestoreHER aims to confront the pervasive neglect of the unique needs and challenges faced by directly impacted women of color and incarcerated pregnant women. By advocating for policy reforms and championing a set of principles grounded in equity and justice, RestoreHER is at the forefront of reshaping the narrative and driving tangible progress for marginalized women across the nation.
Through this dynamic process, RestoreHER aims to confront the pervasive neglect of the unique needs and challenges faced by directly impacted women of color and incarcerated pregnant women. By advocating for policy reforms and championing a set of principles grounded in equity and justice, RestoreHER is at the forefront of reshaping the narrative and driving tangible progress for marginalized women across the nation.
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PAMELA WINN, FOUNDERKnown as "The Face of Dignity For Incarcerated Women”, Pamela Winn is an activist from Atlanta, GA and single mother of two sons. She is an alumni of Spelman College, Emory, and GA State Universities with more than 10 years as a Registered Nurse specializing in Women’s Health prior to serving a 78-month federal sentence for a white-collar crime while pregnant. During her incarceration, she was shackled, causing her to fall and miscarry, then placed in solitary confinement. Rather than diminishing her spirit, Pamela allowed the separation of her family, a miscarriage, revocation of her nursing license, and closing of her businesses that she experienced while in prison to empower her.
2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Pamela Winn is the Founder & President of RestoreHER US.America, a policy advocacy reentry organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of directly impacted women and working in partnership with those women to end the mass incarceration of women of color and pregnant women. Pamela led RestoreHER to spearhead the unanimous passage of HB345, #DIGNITY For Incarcerated Women GA, as well as the overwhelming passage of SB105, Probation REFORM GA. RestoreHER is a core movement partner of Southern Black Girls and Women Consortium (SBGWC). Pamela is Co-Founder & Board President of the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN) which promotes higher education of convicted people. FICGN has more than 1000 members nationwide with 150 doctorate degrees and 5 law students. She is also a CoFounder & Board President of the Georgia Coalition of Higher Education in Prison (GACHEP) which is composed of the higher education programs in GA prisons that advocate for the educational rights and reentry of incarcerated people. In 2022 Pamela initiated IMPPACT the VOTE - GA, #TurnGeorgiaOrange Campaign. IMPPACT (Informing Marginalized Peoples Power And Cultivating Transformation) is an alliance of justice-impacted people that will mobilize, educate, register, and engage incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people to leverage leadership, neutralize the collateral consequences of incarceration and create opportunities for people to become productive members of their communities through civic engagement. She also founded “Unlocked Minds” in partnership with Spelman College Social Justice Department for incarcerated women that offers a book club, wellness, rehabilitation, leadHERship, and an opportunity for secondary education. Pamela is the Vice President for the Board of Directors with the Association for Justice-Involved Female Organizations (AJFO). AJFO is the only professional conference focused exclusively on women and girls involved with the criminal justice system. She also serves on the Advisory Council for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) to end solitary confinement and Pamela is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice, an invitational membership organization and think tank, serving as a center of gravity and incubator of policy and leadership for the criminal justice field. Pamela Winn is the 2023-2024 Scholar-in-Residence for the Morehouse College, Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership. She completed the Executive Education Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and has been selected as a Commissioner of the Council on Criminal Justice, Women’s Justice Commission.Pamela is a national leader in anti-shackling legislation informing policy throughout the south, assisting with the passage of legislation in 23 states throughout the country. She is part of the National Advisory Board for working in collaboration with other organizations of women who have experienced shackling while pregnant and advocates motivated to pass anti-shackling laws in their states. Together, they have developed a Bill of Rights For Incarcerated Pregnant People. She serves on the Women’s Advisory Board with Human Impact Partners where public health officials and formerly incarcerated women collaborate to address the social determinants of criminalization. She facilitated the 2017 Convening on Pregnancy in Correctional Settings, hosted by Pregnant In Prison Statistics. In collaboration with Change.org, Pamela leads a petition that has approximately 200K signatures with an endorsement from Senator Cory Booker advocating the Dignity For Incarcerated Women and her video with ATTN: Media & #Cut50 currently has over 5M views. |
Pamela Winn is a US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Peer Reviewer. She has provided written and oral testimony for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Briefing: Women In Prison: Seeking Justice Behind Bars. Pamela was invited to the White House for the Prison Reform Summit as well as the Criminal Justice Reform Summit to speak on “Women’s Issues” of incarceration. She consulted on the national legislation, "Pregnant Women In Custody Act" introduced by Representative Karen Bass. Pamela provided her language regarding women in federal custody, which was instrumental in the historic passing of federal legislation HR5682, The First Step Act.
Ms. Winn is recognized by Forbes 50 over 50 Impact list of top women leaders for social change in the United States. Ms. Winn is featured in the short-film documentaries, “WINN Movie”, “THE BOX”, and “COUNTED”. Pamela has also been featured in RollingStone, Essence Magazine, “She The People”, ATLANTA Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Women’s Republic, “ATL’s Most Inspiring” in Voyage ATL magazine and many other media articles. She has been a speaker on numerous podcasts, panels, and keynotes across the nation including Spelman College, Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Morehouse College, St. Olaf College, Emory University, Sacred Heart University, FSU Institute for Justice Research and Development, Association For Justice-Involved Females and Organizations (AJFO) 2019, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, ForeverFamily, 2017 International Drug Policy Reform Conference hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance, and Dignity For Incarcerated Women Roundtable with Senator Cory Booker.
Pamela Winn is a 2017 Leading with Conviction Fellow of JustLeadership USA, dedicated to reducing mass incarceration #HalfBy2030, 2018 Erin J. Vuley Fellow of Feminist Women’s Health Center fighting for #ReproductiveJustice, 2019 Community Change Women’s Leadership Fellow showing what it looks like when #WomenOfColorLead, 2019 Soros Justice Advocacy Fellow with Open Society Foundation, 2021 Opportunity Agenda Communications Institute Fellow, and 2021 Women’s Transcending Collective Leadership Institute with Columbia University.
Awards & Selections:
Forbes 50 Over 50: Impact list 2021
AJFO (Association of Justice Involved) Female Organizations Power of One Award 2021
Joseph and Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights
“Change Agent” Award 2022 Atlanta Film Festival - REEL SOUTH Short Award and Georgia Short Special Jury Mention - WINN Movie Documentary Short
2022 Justice On Trial Film Festival - Best Short - WINN Movie Documentary Short 2022
Winner 2023 PBS Short Film Festival - Juried Prize
Dignity Award, Dream Corps 2022
FRRC (Florida Rights Restoration Coalition) Heal To Win Award 2022
Justice For Black Girls - Sister of Courage Award 2022
Selected Member To The Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) 2023
Selected as a Commissioner of the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ), Women’s Justice Commission
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award 2023
Media Links
Ms. Winn is recognized by Forbes 50 over 50 Impact list of top women leaders for social change in the United States. Ms. Winn is featured in the short-film documentaries, “WINN Movie”, “THE BOX”, and “COUNTED”. Pamela has also been featured in RollingStone, Essence Magazine, “She The People”, ATLANTA Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Women’s Republic, “ATL’s Most Inspiring” in Voyage ATL magazine and many other media articles. She has been a speaker on numerous podcasts, panels, and keynotes across the nation including Spelman College, Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Morehouse College, St. Olaf College, Emory University, Sacred Heart University, FSU Institute for Justice Research and Development, Association For Justice-Involved Females and Organizations (AJFO) 2019, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, ForeverFamily, 2017 International Drug Policy Reform Conference hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance, and Dignity For Incarcerated Women Roundtable with Senator Cory Booker.
Pamela Winn is a 2017 Leading with Conviction Fellow of JustLeadership USA, dedicated to reducing mass incarceration #HalfBy2030, 2018 Erin J. Vuley Fellow of Feminist Women’s Health Center fighting for #ReproductiveJustice, 2019 Community Change Women’s Leadership Fellow showing what it looks like when #WomenOfColorLead, 2019 Soros Justice Advocacy Fellow with Open Society Foundation, 2021 Opportunity Agenda Communications Institute Fellow, and 2021 Women’s Transcending Collective Leadership Institute with Columbia University.
Awards & Selections:
Forbes 50 Over 50: Impact list 2021
AJFO (Association of Justice Involved) Female Organizations Power of One Award 2021
Joseph and Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights
“Change Agent” Award 2022 Atlanta Film Festival - REEL SOUTH Short Award and Georgia Short Special Jury Mention - WINN Movie Documentary Short
2022 Justice On Trial Film Festival - Best Short - WINN Movie Documentary Short 2022
Winner 2023 PBS Short Film Festival - Juried Prize
Dignity Award, Dream Corps 2022
FRRC (Florida Rights Restoration Coalition) Heal To Win Award 2022
Justice For Black Girls - Sister of Courage Award 2022
Selected Member To The Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) 2023
Selected as a Commissioner of the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ), Women’s Justice Commission
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award 2023
Media Links
RestoreHER BOARD
RestoreHER US.America is led by a dedicated general board predominantly composed of Black women from the Southern United States. This board is unique, not just in its composition but in the depth of experience and professionalism its members bring to the table. Each member has been directly impacted through either personal trauma, convictions, or incarceration. Their lived experiences are not just stories they share; they are the foundation of the organization's strategies, policies, and initiatives.
This diverse group of women leverages their professional skills alongside their personal journeys to address the systemic issues that disproportionately affect women of color and communities. Their expertise spans various fields, allowing RestoreHER US.America to adopt a multifaceted approach to transformation. From legal advocacy and policy development to community support and rehabilitation programs, the organization aims to dismantle barriers, advocate for justice, and promote healing.
The board's direct involvement ensures that RestoreHER US.America remains grounded in the realities faced by those it serves. Their leadHERship reflects a deep understanding of the interplay between race, gender, and justice, making them uniquely equipped to spearhead initiatives that seek not only to reform but to transform. Through their guidance, RestoreHER US.America empowers affected women, fosters community resilience, and challenges the systemic inequities within the criminal legal system, thereby enacting meaningful change and contributing to a more just and equitable society.
This diverse group of women leverages their professional skills alongside their personal journeys to address the systemic issues that disproportionately affect women of color and communities. Their expertise spans various fields, allowing RestoreHER US.America to adopt a multifaceted approach to transformation. From legal advocacy and policy development to community support and rehabilitation programs, the organization aims to dismantle barriers, advocate for justice, and promote healing.
The board's direct involvement ensures that RestoreHER US.America remains grounded in the realities faced by those it serves. Their leadHERship reflects a deep understanding of the interplay between race, gender, and justice, making them uniquely equipped to spearhead initiatives that seek not only to reform but to transform. Through their guidance, RestoreHER US.America empowers affected women, fosters community resilience, and challenges the systemic inequities within the criminal legal system, thereby enacting meaningful change and contributing to a more just and equitable society.
RestoreHER Advisory Board
The advisory board of RestoreHER US.America is a dynamic ensemble of women whose professional expertise spans across anthropology, obstetrics/gynecology, judiciary, legal practice, philanthropy, nonprofit management, academia, research, real estate, probation/parole, and public health. This collective of diverse professional backgrounds of these accomplished women equips the advisory board to offer comprehensive support to the general board, ensuring that RestoreHER US.America’s mission is pursued with a multifaceted and deeply informed approach. By pooling their unique leadHERship, insights, and skills, these advisors play a crucial role in steering the organization towards achieving its goals. Their involvement guarantees that the organization’s strategies are robust, evidence-based, and empathetically aligned with the needs of those impacted by the criminal legal system, thereby fostering an environment of healing, empowerment, and systemic change.