Laurie has spent her life’s work pulling together juvenile justice leaders and researchers to ensure laws, policies and practices are informed by science and data and pushing for reforms that ensure all the voices are heard at the table. 

Inspired by all the women who shared their stories with PbS in celebration of Women’s History Month, and to honor all women in juvenile justice, I share my answers to the questions we asked of them.

A staunch advocate for children’s and women’s rights, Marsha has launched legal challenges all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where her work led to landmark decisions banning the juvenile death penalty and juvenile life without parole.

Throughout the past 20 years Christine has worked for the Indiana Department of Correction in many different positions, dedicating her career to reforming the system and focusing her boundless energy on creating opportunities through education and skill development.

Sometimes the road you’re walking on is not the one you want to be on. Gina is helping youths across the country turn their lives around and carve out a different path.

If anyone understands the importance of listening to create change, it’s Tracy Dompeling. Some of the best changes she’s made in juvenile justice have come from listening to the youths she serves and putting their needs first.

From funeral parlors to the juvenile justice courts, Valerie is a self-subscribed life-long learner, believing that every environment and encounter represents an opportunity for learning and growth.

Lisa is pointed to as the longest serving current director of a state juvenile justice agency with 15 years as the leader of the North Dakota Division of Juvenile Services. She’s done it by doing her best to do the “right” thing – and had a few instances when she thought that might have cost her her job. Her ethic to be truthful to herself and others is not always easy, but essential in establishing confidence, trust and respect in moving towards a juvenile justice system that is fair.

Melissa has rarely, if ever, been known to pass up an opportunity to talk about data. Her passion for turning data into information and she’s shared the insights with everyone from Peter Jennings and Joe Biden to middle schoolers hungry for knowledge.

A youth advocate since she was a teenager, Heidi has helped countless youths do what they are meant to do – heal, learn and grow into healthy, responsible adults.

One of five girls raised in a single parent home in rural North Carolina, Gail became the driving force behind the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), now in nearly 300 counties nationwide.

From starting out as a juvenile probation officer to running the Ferris School, showing up daily and making hard decisions is what Tanya does every day to get the best outcomes for the youths in her care.