Piper Kerman, Author of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, to Speak at New Mexico Women's Justice Project Fundraiser Today

Piper Kerman, the best-selling prisoner-turned-memoirist whose book Orange is the New Blackbecame an award-winning Netflix original series, visits Albuquerque today, May 8.

Kerman, the real life inspiration for Piper Chapman's character in the television series, will talk about the book and sign copies. Admission is a $5 minimum donation at the door for the New Mexico Women's Justice Project. $20 priority seating and signing tickets are available in advance. This fundraiser for the Women's Justice Project is a collaboration between Bookworks and UNM Women's Resource Center.

The New Mexico Women's Justice Project is a non-profit organization that advocates for female prisoners around the state, including Grants, Santa Fe, Albuquerque and beyond. "We aim to achieve justice and fairness for New Mexico women, children, and their families impacted by the criminal justice delinquency, and abuse and neglect systems," says Bette Fleishman, executive director of NMJP. "We pursue our mission by working in collaboration with other organizations-as we are with Bookworks and the Women's Resource Center-to educate the public. Our audience is legislators, policy makers, and administers, and we provide program development, legal initiatives, technical assistance, and our participation in policy task forces, councils, committees, and other related forums. We are so happy to be partnering with these groups and with Ms. Kerman to get the word out about our work."

Kerman herself knows first-hand about incarceration. When Piper Kerman was sent to prison for a ten-year-old crime, she barely resembled the reckless young woman she'd been when she committed the misdeeds that would eventually catch up with her. Happily ensconced in a New York City apartment, with a promising career and an attentive boyfriend, she was suddenly forced to reckon with the consequences of her very brief, very careless dalliance in the world of drug trafficking. Kerman spent thirteen months in prison, eleven of them at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, where she met a surprising and varied community of women living under exceptional circumstances. Her story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison, and the best-selling paperback has become a popular TV series.

Kerman is now the vice president of a Washington, D.C.-based communications firm that works with foundations and nonprofits. A graduate of Smith College, she lives in Brooklyn.

"It is easy and tempting to forget about people in prison, but we need to resist. The numbers of women in prison are increasing," says Summer Little, Director of UNM's Women's Resource Center, which advocates for women on campus and in the community in addressing issues of institutionalized sexism & racism, sexual harassment, and all other forms of discrimination in the classroom, on campus, and beyond. "Spotlighting and understanding their experiences is critical to the conversations around prison reform and abolition. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to hear from Ms. Kerman and hope our entire community will join us."

"Bookworks is thrilled to be partnering with the Women's Justice Project for a fundraiser with Piper Kerman. Orange is the New Black has been a national bestseller and the second season is about the start on Netflix, this is really exciting for Albuquerque!" Danielle Foster, co-owner of Bookworks. "Not only do we get to meet the inspiration for one of our favorite books and TV shows, but we also get to help out a very worthwhile cause in raising money for the Women's Justice Project. We hope to fill the auditorium with fans of all ages."

EVENT DETAILS :

Talk & Fundraiser for the New Mexico Women's Justice Project

Featuring Piper Kerman, author of Orange is the New Black

University of New Mexico, Woodward Hall (behind Popejoy Hall)

$5 minimum donation at the door general admission seating

$20 priority seating and signing in advance

More info: 505-344-8139 or events@bkwrks.com