HAPPY WOMENS HISTORY MONTH
Uplifting Womens History Month with:
Her Story
Her Strength
Her Strength
Keona Sparks is a motivational speaker, wellness advocate, and founder of Key’s Essentials who empowers individuals to prioritize self-love, resilience, and personal growth. Through her high-energy workshops, fitness classes, and inspirational tools, she encourages others to live with intention and show up fully for themselves—mind, body,
Keona Sparks is a motivational speaker, wellness advocate, and founder of Key’s Essentials who empowers individuals to prioritize self-love, resilience, and personal growth. Through her high-energy workshops, fitness classes, and inspirational tools, she encourages others to live with intention and show up fully for themselves—mind, body, and spirit. Her message is clear: self-love is foundational, wellness is essential, and resilience is a way of life.
Her Strength
Her Strength
Her Strength
Tiffany J. Vulcain (T.J.) is a systems-impacted leader, author, and advocate working to advance criminal justice reform and support justice-impacted families. Drawing from her lived experience, she leads programming for women at The Fortune Society, focusing on workforce development, personal growth, and trauma-informed support. She is th
Tiffany J. Vulcain (T.J.) is a systems-impacted leader, author, and advocate working to advance criminal justice reform and support justice-impacted families. Drawing from her lived experience, she leads programming for women at The Fortune Society, focusing on workforce development, personal growth, and trauma-informed support. She is the founder of Parents Day, an initiative uplifting parents navigating reentry, and serves as an Empathy Network Lead with Dream.org, advocating for housing equity. Through her writing, storytelling, and leadership, Tiffany works to amplify the voices of system-impacted communities and create pathways for healing and opportunity.
Her Becoming
Her Strength
Her Becoming
Rysheda Elliott is a faith-driven leader, pastor, and advocate whose life was transformed after overcoming addiction, incarceration, and personal hardship. Since 2003, she has dedicated her life to helping others heal and rebuild through ministry, reentry support, and community service. She is the founder of Miracles in Formation and lead
Rysheda Elliott is a faith-driven leader, pastor, and advocate whose life was transformed after overcoming addiction, incarceration, and personal hardship. Since 2003, she has dedicated her life to helping others heal and rebuild through ministry, reentry support, and community service. She is the founder of Miracles in Formation and leads Living Waters of Change Deliverance Ministry, while also serving as a victim advocate supporting families impacted by violence. Through her work in prisons, shelters, and community spaces, Rysheda empowers others with hope, faith, and the tools to transform their lives.
Freedom Forward: Women & Girls Advocacy Initiative
VUOTS is developing a women-and-girls-centered advocacy initiative that focuses on education, storytelling, and reentry-informed support. This work serves women and girls impacted by the criminal and juvenile justice systems, while also engaging schools, universities, legal professionals, and community organizations.
How this work began
VUOTS’ work in this area was deepened through access to Beyond the Razor Wire Fence, an audio and visual podcast developed through WOMEN’S WAY in collaboration with Love Now Media. Dr. Victoria Best, Founder and CEO of VUOTS, is a featured storyteller and contributor. While WOMEN’S WAY retains ownership of the broader project, VUOTS utilizes the podcast as an educational and engagement tool, recognizing it as the foundation that helped shape this advocacy work.
How VUOTS uses the podcast
VUOTS offers the podcast as a discussion-based learning and community engagement resource for universities, high schools, businesses, legal spaces, law students, and organizations working in or around the criminal & juvenile justice system. It can be used for screenings, facilitated discussions, workshops, and reflection-based programming that helps audiences better understand the lived experiences of women affected by incarceration, reentry, and structural and economic barriers.
What this work looks like now
In 2025, VUOTS hosted its first public screening event connected to Beyond the Razor Wire Fence, creating space for community dialogue and reflection. In 2026, that work continues through programming like Scars, Voices, Becoming, a Women’s History Month event centered on storytelling, honoring women, affirmation-building, and community care. Through this event, VUOTS recognizes women with certificates and monetary donations as a way of affirming their value, visibility, and impact.
Why Support VUOTS
The Scale of System Impact
The Scale of System Impact
Over 1 million women are under the supervision of the U.S. criminal justice.
Women and girls are not a small or invisible population within the justice system—this is a widespread issue that affects families, communities, and future generations.
The Cost of Incarceration
The Scale of System Impact
Most incarcerated women cannot afford bail, which often equals an entire year of their income. For many women, incarceration is driven not just by legal circumstances, but by economic barriers—highlighting the direct link between poverty and justice system involvement.
The Cycle of Reentry
The Cycle of Reentry
63% of women released from prison are rearrested within a few years.
Without access to education, resources, and support, many women are pushed back into the system—demonstrating the urgent need for reentry programs and community-based solutions.
Advocacy into Action
