Our Vision is EPIC
End Poverty and InCarceration of Women and Girls
Our Story
Dr. Topeka K. Sam founded The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM) in 2017 to support women and girls who are impacted by the criminal legal system. While incarcerated, she realized that prison and jail are not conducive to healing and rehabilitation. Upon her release, Topeka made it her mission to create pathways to success for women and girls and advocate for alternatives to incarceration.
Their Story
“The LOHM programs have been life-changing for me. As a 50-year-old woman who has experienced incarceration, they gave me not just support, but a renewed sense of purpose and hope.”
Michelle Hayes
P4E Fellow
Pathways 4 Equity
“The LOHM has been a change maker for me; The fellowship and sisterhood have given women who have been incarcerated a new look on life. The LOHM has been an open door that was closed.”
Tara Gooden
P4E Fellow
Pathways 4 Equity
“Having a place to call home gave me a healthy space to reflect on my life and pray over myself and my son.”
Daisy Bowman
Rapid Rehousing
“Pathways 4 Equity didn’t just help me with a job; it helped me reclaim my power.”
Shawanda Manuel
Pathways 4 Equity
Our Impact
Rewriting Herstory. One Sister, One Story, One System at a Time.
Every number in our impact report tells a story of transformation—of women rising beyond incarceration, poverty, and violence with the resources and support they need to reclaim their futures.
Safe Housing for a Fresh Start
Through Rapid Rehousing and Hope House, over 77 women and 55 children found stability and dignity with $200,000 in rental assistance and permanent housing opportunities.
Pathways to Economic Power
From job readiness training to real-world placements, our Pathways 4 Equity program helped women launch careers, grow confidence, and gain financial independence.
The LOHM Celebrates 6 Years of Impact
Digital Access and
Lifelong Learning
With over 500 scholarships through Google and Coursera, justice-impacted women accessed digital training, expanding their horizons and opening doors to new opportunities.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Through Faces of Women Imprisoned, women became authors, speakers, and advocates—rewriting their stories and driving change across communities and policy spaces.
In Partnership with Top Organizations Worldwide
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Our Landscape
By The Numbers: The Impact of Mass Incarceration on Women and Girls
The profound and often overlooked effect of mass incarceration on women and girls is a complex issue that warrants further exploration and understanding. Understanding how mass incarceration influences the wellbeing, educational opportunities, and mental health of women and girls is essential for creating effective reforms and support systems. By addressing these concerns, we can hopefully mitigate the negative impacts and foster a more equitable society.
585% Surge
The Epidemic of Women’s Incarceration in America
Since 1980, the United States has witnessed a staggering 585% increase in the number of incarcerated women—rising from just 26,326 women to over 180,000 by 2022. This explosive growth is not merely a reflection of rising crime but rather a result of decades of punitive policies, systemic inequality, and social failures that have disproportionately impacted women—particularly women of color, low-income women, and survivors of trauma.
This is not just a statistic—it’s a warning. The exponential rise in women’s incarceration is a national crisis, demanding urgent systemic reform, compassionate policy changes, and a complete rethinking of how we define justice.
58%
of Incarcerated Women Are Mothers
A significant majority of incarcerated women are mothers, with many being the primary caregivers of their children prior to incarceration.
1.2 Million
Women Under Criminal Justice Supervision
86%
of women in jail have been victims of sexual violence or trauma
70%
of incarcerated women are dependent on at least one substance
Hear Their Stories
Transforming Lives Through Storytelling & Advocacy
In 2024, women in our Faces of Women Imprisoned program made powerful strides in advocacy, authorship, and leadership. This section highlights their courage, resilience, and the transformative impact of narrative justice. We invite you to explore how these women are using their voices to reclaim power and spark change in communities across the country.
women became published authors through the Faces of Women Imprisoned Authorship Track, using their stories to inspire, educate, and drive social change.
women graduated from the Public Speakers’ Track, gaining the confidence and skills to advocate for change—one alumna even launched a campaign to run for Congress.
FOWI speaker profiles were added to our new Global Speakers Bureau website, amplifying the voices of justice-impacted women ready to speak at your next event.
Join Us in Making Change
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