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Woman of the Year Nominee: Sandra K. Barnhill
Executive Director/CEO of Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers, Inc.
by Joy Weaks
March 1, 2005
A
n estimated 8,000 children in Georgia currently have mothers in prison, and the number of
women being incarcerated in the state has increased 20% in the last four years to more than 2,000.
A shocking 95% of those women have young children, according to Georgia Department of Corrections
statistics. Despite these disturbing numbers, few resources have been devoted to the needs of
prisoners' children who suffer the trauma of social stigma, separation and family fragmentation.
In
1987, Sandra Barnhill left her job as a defense attorney and founded Aid to Children of Imprisoned
Mothers (AIM). AIM is Georgia's only nonprofit devoted to providing programs and services to
inspire these children to become successful adults and reduce the chance that they will turn to
crime. AIM has helped more than 10,000 children and 3,700 mothers by promoting self-development,
responsibility and a better way of life for troubled families. Barnhill was recently named one of
18 national recipients of the 2004 Leadership for a Changing World awards, sponsored by the New
York City-based Ford Foundation.
What inspired you to do this work?
As a defense attorney, I quickly discovered that the law wasn't the entire answer to the
injustice I saw on a daily basis. Now I go to bed each night tired, but satisfied; and most
importantly, I get up each morning with a purpose to help these children and their families.
Who were your role models?
There was no business model for me when I started AIM, which is grassroots, works with
prisoners (an unpopular group in society) and their children (innovative and controversial work). I
faced these challenges along with racism (I am black), sexism (I am a woman) and age discrimination
(I was 28 years old). The nonprofit world has been and, to a certain extent, still is dominated by
white males although more women are in leadership roles as CEOs and heads of agencies today than
when I started 17 years ago.
As an African American woman starting a nonprofit in Atlanta, I read a lot of biographies -
for example, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Theresa. I also looked to my heroes from the black
experience like Madame C.J. Walker, who became the first black female millionaire by creating a
line of hair care and beauty projects. She was a trailblazer going places African Americans and
women never had gone. She didn't apologize for whom she was or for what she wanted to do in life. I
find her story inspiring.
What has been among the most valuable lesson you have learned?
People get safety and justice confused. We have to not only hold people accountable for
their actions, we must also allow true restoration back into the human community. These women spend
an average of six years and eight months in prison away from their children. If there is no job or
community support upon their release, they will likely return to prison within the first year. To
build AIM's program and begin the long task of changing public perception, we enlisted influential
citizens to serve on our board of directors and invited all the players - the Georgia Department of
Corrections, Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), Board of Pardons and Parole, Board
of Education, State Mental Health Department and other agencies - to AIM offices to discuss the
issues and create a plan to provide continuing care for prisoners' children.
What helps build awareness of the children's plight?
AIM was invited to provide annual training for correctional officers who work at women's
prisons; the state Department of Corrections purchased copies of the AIM manual "Parenting from
Prison" for prisoners and staff; and DFCS asked AIM to create a training curriculum for supervisors
and front-line workers in metro Atlanta. All correctional facilities for women have created women's
centers where mothers can touch, hold and read to their children during visits. AIM also offers
after-school programs, teen leadership programs, summer camp, tutoring, Saturday programs,
emergency assistance for families and referral services - all focused on the needs of children of
incarcerated mothers.
What is your strength?
I'm an eternal optimist. I'm good at bridging socioeconomic and cultural gaps to build
diversity around a common cause.
What is your greatest honor?
I'm grateful for the recent national recognition of the Ford Foundation, but my greatest
honor was when I received an invitation to the college graduation of the first girl I worked with
through AIM. Sharing the joy of her accomplishment with her family is something I'll always
cherish.
Sandra K. Barnhill
Executive Director/CEO Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers, Inc.
Age: 45
Birthplace: Evansville, Indiana
Must Reads: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Hobbies: Yoga, vegetarian cooking and reading
