A tale of Two Cities
The Cut, March 9, 2022: A Tale of Two Cities
“Memorial Day weekend of 2003, I had my first run-in with law enforcement. I had just completed my freshman year of college, and it was my first Saturday night back home in Baltimore. I immediately linked up with some friends, and we drove to a public park and reservoir to partake in some herbal libations. Within minutes, my mother’s vehicle was surrounded by six police vehicles and a paddy wagon. We were separated, questioned, and promptly escorted in police cars to the local detention center. All for less than three grams of marijuana.
“This is what led me to leave my hometown of Baltimore City for New York this past November to lead the Women’s Prison Association as its first Black woman executive director. Founded in 1845 by Quaker abolitionists, 20 years before the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which was supposed to ‘end slavery,’ WPA is the nation’s first organization to support women impacted by incarceration. WPA recognizes the challenges and barriers specific to women involved in the carceral, court, and child-welfare systems and works tirelessly to ensure these women and their children are free, safe, and independent. And for the first time, WPA’s leader looks like its constituents and can relate a little bit more.”
Additional reading:
Elevate Maryland: JOTF CEO Caryn York
WYPR, October 22, 2021: Why the Job Opportunities Task Force is pulling an 'all-nighter' in Baltimore tomorrow
Baltimore Magazine, February 2021: GameChanger: Caryn York
