Community advocates Brittany Davis and Suanne Bone recognized a gap in service for women in need, in a space that is almost entirely overlooked; women in jail.
Staggering statistics show the incarceration of women in the United States increased by more than 525% from 1980 and 2021, increasing 117% from 2003 to 2018 alone, with the majority of them suffering from major trauma as children. Our Sister's Keeper, Inc, a Lebanon based non-profit aims to support and advocate for these women both during and after their time in the criminal justice system, serving Wilson and Smith counties. The goal is to ultimately serve the entire 15th Judicial District, which includes Wilson, Smith, Macon, Jackson and Trousdale counties.
Join them on September 9, at The Farm at Cedar Springs for their first annual Boots N’ Shoot sporting clay fundraiser event.
“Many of these women were left to fend for themselves, often at very young ages,” says co-founder Brittany, an Assistant Public Defender with the 15th Judicial District.
The more involved Brittany became with her many clients within the criminal justice system, the more she realized that many of these needed more than just legal services. She shared her concerns with her friend Suanne, a long-time Wilson county resident known for her community involvement, and together these two strong women formulated a plan to offer help.
Our Sisters Keeper provides a diverse list of resources, from long-term drug and alcohol treatment, rehabilitation, and mentors to collecting donations specific to the needs and even finding temporary housing for pets while ladies are away getting the help she needs.
Davis is able to recognize women in need of support through her work in the courts, sending them to the team who can work as an advocate and liaison between the women and their new start outside of jail. Since launching their support team, the original six ladies are out of jail and one has been clean and sober for nearly three years. Many more women have been supported through the team's weekly outreach at Smith County Jail where they host weekly life skills training courses, says Suanne.
The board of directors includes a diverse group of lawyers, community leaders, and a correctional facility visitation coordination: Brittany Davis, Carl Hudson, Winnie Hunt, Stephanie McCaleb, Jack Bare, Jeff Cherry, Shelley Gardner, Angel Kane, Russell Parish, Cathey Sweeney and Lisa Tomlinson.
For event tickets, sponsorship opportunities, to volunteer or give, please visit oursisterskeeperoftn.org
Boots N' Shoot Fundraiser Event Details
September 9, The Farm at Cedar Springs, Lebanon
Teams will begin at 11:30am or 1:30pm (randomly drawn).
Targets will be set by Lebanon’s own Gregg Piercey, renowned as the best in the business, for up to 24 teams of five for a full day of fun.
Interested in shooting, but don't have a team? A long range rifle shot station will be set up with a 600 yard target, three shots will be offered for a $25 donation. A long bird shot will also be offered for a $30 donation, which includes 4 shots.
Tickets also include an open bar cocktail hour, dinner catered by Houstons, awards and entertainment by Band of Oh Brothers because of generous donors below.
- Title Sponsor: Horizon Development
- Ammunition: Lowery, Lowery & Cherry
- Dinner: W. B. Development
- Cocktails: Seven Cedars Butcher Block
- Prize Sponsor: Tim Leeper Roofing
- Entertainment: Kane & Crowell.
Shooting Station sponsors:
- Jeff Gannon State Farm
- Wearhouse
- CASA
- Parrish & Associates
- Becky and Jay Andrews
- Van and Carol Turner
- Southern Bank
- Lynda Burge & Becky Andrews, Realtors
- Cedarstone Bank
- Liberty State Bank
- John Lankford w/Edward Jones
Media Sponsor: Lebanon City Lifestyle
