2014 Stephanie was incarcerated at a women's prison when she was pregnant with Major.
2015 - Stephanie is released from prison and begins attending the program at Hour Children.
2016 - Stephanie is currently studying social work at University.
Biography
Stephanie is mother of Major, an anti-shackling activist and a social worker in training. In her early 20s, she developed a painful condition called polycystic kidney disease and became addicted to her opioid pain medication, leading to a battle with drugs. While pregnant with her son Major, she was arrested for trafficking drugs over state lines and was incarcerated for two years. The social workers assigned to help Stephanie adapt to life as a new mother and her fellow inmates gave her the strength to overcome her addiction. Stephanie is now studying to be a social worker in University. As a result of her experiences during incarceration, she has become an anti-shackling activist and has protested to close Rikers Island. She brings her three-year old son, Major with her to #CloseRikers protests.
"My son is what really keeps me going. I just want to give him a life that I never had and break this cycle." – Stephanie
Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn, New York
Miami, Florida
Charleston, South Carolina