“It is up to all of us to do some good in society, the community and even the world.”
“I am Pamela Smith, a former inmate. I have walked in your shores. I made bad choices and ended up in prison. My addiction to drugs was a major cause for ending up in prison. I had to admit my own faults and take responsibility for my own actions. In prison, I reached “My Turning Point.” This is the time for you to reach the “turning point” in your life and change.
“I challenge each of you to participate and take advantage of the
“My Turning Point Program.”
While incarcerated by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Pamela Smith was victimized and raped by someone in authority over her. After being released, she brought legal action to reclaim her rights and seek justice against the perpetrator. Pamela filed a lawsuit against the State of Oklahoma and the state worker in federal court on Jan. 13, 2000. Pamela said her inner faith has sustained her but her journey for justice has drawn her to the cause of so many other inmates who have been raped or abused in prison and are unable to complain.
For over a decade Pamela has been educating and speaking to incarcerated women of all ages through her advocacy and activism. Pamela started the Pamela Smith Foundation to service the needs of incarcerated women and advocate for the rights of the incarcerated. Pamela consistently finds ways to bring attention to the struggle for rights of the incarcerated and to provide them with the tools and mechanisms needed to protect themselves from becoming victims of rape while incarcerated. She is committed to providing the incarcerated with the skills necessary to manage the current situations in their lives and reach a turning point for change.
The seventh of eight children, Pamela Smith grew up in Cushing, Oklahoma. She is married to a wonderful, supportive husband and has one son and one grandson. She has owned several businesses including beauty shops, modeling agency, concert promoter, fashion stylist and has hosted a television talk show “Talk to Pamela”. She is the author of an autobiographical book that chronicles the story her rape and fight for justice “Begging for Justice The Silent Coalition” a true story of Pamela Smith. (ISBN 0-7414-5118-2 available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com)
The Pamela Smith Foundation has a vision that each incarcerated person in Oklahoma reaches a turning point and becomes equipped with the education, tools, and resources needed to allow them to re-enter the and community and re-unite with their families as confident, productive and capable members of society.