The idea for this group came from some conversations between Lisa Wagner, Still Point founder, and Annalise Raziq, one of the Persephone Project facilitators, about the joys and tears of working with incarcerated women.

One of the most difficult issues of the Persephone Project was how inconsistent the workshop attendance was. We'd be right in the middle of developing the women's trust in each other and themselves, when someone would be unexpectedly transferred to another facility. Even more heartbreaking was the fact that often deep and moving pieces were created, yet very few outside the prison wall would ever know about it.

As an extension of the work done in prisons, Sisters Rising was begun in early 2007.

It provides part-time work for formerly incarcerated women. Program participants meet regularly to create original theatre pieces and to tell their stories that they perform all around Chicago.

Thanks to a generous, grant from the Chicago Foundation for Women this past spring, Sisters Rising was born. The pilot program, comprised of ten incredibly courageous, creative and strong formerly incarcerated women, lasted ten weeks, culminating in a performance at the Court Theatre in Chicago. Now the group is meeting year-round, telling their stories to people on the outside, and helping to smash the stereotypes most have of persons in prison and why they're there.