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Petrina Williams interview transcript, 2018-08-04

 File
Identifier: dcpl_dcohc013

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview was conducted with Petrina Williams by Kristin Adair in Washington, D.C. Petrina Williams was born in 1967 in Washington, D.C. She attended Spelman College and later moved to Washington, D.C., in 1998. She talks about moving to D.C. to live with her aunt and developing a drug addiction. She talks about having two children during that time, and she was pregnant with her third child when she was convicted of a non-violent narcotics-related crime. She gave birth to her son while incarcerated, shackled to the bed. She served 2.5 years in prison. When she was released in 2007, she had to fight for custody of her son. She has since obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Care, from University of Maryland, University College. She graduated from Catholic University with a Master's Degree in Social Work in April 2017. She is a homeowner in Ward 8, where she lives with her youngest son. Petrina currently serves as the Addictions Counselor for Christ House in Washington, D.C. She is also a Licensed Social Worker with the non-profit organization the WIRE (Women Involved in Reentry Efforts).

Dates

  • Creation: 2018-08-04

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Biographical / Historical

Petrina Williams was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Augusta, Georgia. In her oral history she speaks about abuse that she experienced while growing up, and a drug habit that she developed in her early 20s. She also talks about her knack for academic work and achievement, time in prison, and how her experiences and education continue to inform her work at the Women Involved in Reentry Efforts (WIRE).

Extent

From the Collection: 1.13 Terabytes

Repository Details

Part of the The People's Archive, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Repository

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