Illinois First Lady Joins Forces With Ex-Convict to Improve Lives of Women Leaving Prison

Illinois First Lady Joins Forces With Ex-Convict to Improve Lives of Women Leaving Prison

A pair of lives that diverged down different paths have now become unlikely partners, merged within a common cause. 60-year-old Willette Benford spent 24 years—nearly half her life—in an Illinois prison until a change in state laws expedited her release. While behind bars though, Ms. Benford earned her GED and an associate’s degree, became an […] The post Illinois First Lady Joins Forces With Ex-Convict to Improve Lives of Women Leaving Prison a…

From Prison to Power Two Women Team Up to Rewrite Second Chances in Illinois

Two women from completely different worlds are proving that when you team up for a good cause, amazing things can happen. One is 60-year-old Willette Benford, who spent nearly half her life — 24 years — behind bars in Illinois. She was released early thanks to changes in state law, but what she did with that freedom is what really makes her story remarkable. While in prison, Benford did not waste time. She earned her GED, an associate’s degree, …