A groundbreaking new book, She is Me, is set to challenge stereotypes, shift public perceptions and amplify the voices of women who often go unheard.

Published by Project:herSELF, She is Me is a compelling collection of personal memoirs written by women with lived experience of prison. Raw, honest and deeply human, the book shares stories of resilience, accountability and transformation – told in the authors’ own words.

Founder of Project:herSELF and contributing author of the collection, Tahlia Isaac, says the book is about more than storytelling – it’s about justice, dignity and changing the narrative around women affected by incarceration.

“These are stories that are rarely heard,” Isaac said. “Too often, women who have been to prison are reduced to a headline or a label. She is Me gives them back their identity, their complexity and their humanity.”

“This book isn’t asking for sympathy. It’s not about taking anything away from those who have been victims of crime. It’s asking for understanding – and asking for systems that genuinely support women to rebuild their lives.”

Each chapter traces a journey from survival to self-determination, exploring themes of motherhood, addiction, domestic violence, homelessness, hope and healing. Together, the stories reveal not only the barriers women face on release, but also the strength and potential that exist when they are given real opportunities.

All proceeds from the book support the ongoing work of Project:herSELF, which provides peer support, advocacy and practical assistance to women transitioning from prison back into the community.

“By purchasing this book, readers are directly helping to create pathways for other women to find employment, stability and belonging,” Isaac said.