Mandi Zapata

As a child, Mandi experienced the pain of having an incarcerated parent, and later, she faced incarceration herself as a mother of young children. During her time in prison, Mandi participated in the Women’s Storybook Project and shared her story with CBS Evening News. This marked her first step into advocacy, amplifying the voices of mothers in prison and highlighting the importance of maintaining a connection with their children.

Her experiences have shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for justice reform. She is dedicated to sharing her story not only to educate others but also to inspire those who have been formerly incarcerated, showing them that a successful reentry into society is possible.