The Thurman Perry Foundation

My name is Gabrielle Perry, MPH. I am a 29 year old epidemiologist and the founder and executive director of The Thurman Perry Foundation, a New Orleans-based nonprofit operating nationally in service of women and girls impacted by incarceration.  I am also a formerly incarcerated woman. I was arrested back in 2014. My crime, as most crimes are, was solely about survival against poverty. Yet, one day in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison stole years of my life.

After my arrest, I was homeless, had to bathe in a bucket in a derelict shotgun house, and survived due to Greater Baton Rouge Foodbank. For awhile I could not find a job and was a victim of discriminatory housing and employment practices, and sexual harassment. I was seen as a young girl with no recourse and treated as disposable. As a Black woman, I was at an even greater disadvantage because the unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated Black women is 43.1%. Yet, I persevered as is the only choice of formerly incarcerated persons. Fast forward to today, I hold 3 STEM degrees, I have a career as an epidemiologist and am a graduate of the prestigious Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and I created this scholarship so that other women’s lives could be saved too. 

The Perry ‘Second Chances’ Scholarship was established with one goal in mind: to offer direct fiscal resources to formerly incarcerated women and girls, as well as the daughters of those who are currently incarcerated. We are honored to continue the legacy of our namesake, my deceased father, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Thurman Perry Jr., in ensuring all people are treated with humanity and decency and not written off as irredeemable in their efforts to successfully re-enter society. 

With 43% being the rate at which formerly incarcerated persons do not reoffend when offered a chance to pursue secondary education, it is that education that serves as a path forward for these women and girls. The criteria for our scholarship is as follows:

Criteria:

1. Must identify as female (transgender women are more than welcome to apply!)

2. Currently enrolled or recently accepted into a 2-4 year accredited program (e.g. vocational school, college, or university, beauty school, etc.).

3. A record of previous arrest or incarceration in juvenile or adult court OR have a parent who is currently or formerly incarcerated in the U.S.

5. Must be a U.S. resident.

We have currently awarded $17,000 to women and girls impacted by incarceration in 11 states across the United States. Women ages 18-58, of all races and religious beliefs, of all languages and backgrounds, united in their experiences with the carceral system and their dedication to working towards a better tomorrow. These women are scientists, authors, engineers, nurses, pastors, social workers, and deserve a second chance. 

You can make a difference by donating today to The Thurman Perry Foundation. Our goal is $35,000 for the upcoming cycle. Our organization has never won a grant. It is difficult for both new organizations and Black women-led organizations to receive grant funding. Yet, we have been able to thrive. No one at The Thurman Perry Foundation is paid for their work. EVERY. SINGLE. CENT. goes to these women. 

And please visit our websites at www.thurmanperryfoundation.org, www.theperryscholarship.org, or our Instagram @thurmanperryfoundation to see and learn about all of our  previous winners in their own words! 

God bless you and thank you!

G.