Tahlia Isaac is a formerly incarcerated criminologist, social justice advocate, and the founder of Project:herSELF - a platform amplifying voices of women impacted by the justice system. Through lived experience and academic expertise, Tahlia is changing how we understand justice, reentry, and community care.
"When I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Never did I dream I would be on the other side."
Tahlia's journey from incarceration to advocacy has positioned Project:herSELF as a powerful voice for women rebuilding their lives after prison.
With a Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Business (HR) from Griffith University, Tahlia combines academic rigor with the irreplaceable insight of lived experience. Her work focuses on post-release reintegration, systemic advocacy, and community-led solutions for women impacted by incarceration.
Tahlia is the founder of Project:herSELF, a mother of two boys, and a formerly incarcerated criminologist and social justice advocate. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Business (HR) from Griffith University. Her area of interest and lived experience expertise is post-release reintegration, focusing on the particular needs of women.
Rocket Bretherton is a writer, storyteller, and advocate whose work centres lived experience, identity, and healing. With a voice that is both raw and reflective, Rocket challenges dominant narratives about women, trauma, and resilience, creating space for honesty without shame. Her contribution to She Is Me is grounded in courage and compassion, offering readers an unfiltered glimpse into the complexity of survival and self-reclamation.
Nina Storey is a writer and lived-experience advocate passionate about amplifying voices that are too often excluded from public conversation. Through storytelling, Nina explores themes of justice, womanhood, and transformation, drawing on personal insight to challenge stigma and foster understanding. Her work invites readers to sit with discomfort, empathy, and hope — and to recognise the humanity behind every story.
Stacey Elvey is a writer and advocate who uses storytelling as a tool for connection and change. With lived experience of the criminal justice system, Stacey writes with honesty and heart, illuminating the realities faced by women navigating systems not designed for them. Her contribution to She Is Me reflects a commitment to truth, growth, and ensuring that women’s stories are no longer overlooked or erased.
Women in the justice system are often defined by their past—not their potential. Project:herSELF is changing that narrative through community-owned storytelling and systemic advocacy.
Our mission is simple: to stand with women and support them in creating the lives they deserve—no matter what barriers try to hold them back.Project:herSELF walks alongside women as they rebuild their lives after the justice system has left its mark. We're not just advocates—we're agents of change, fighting to break down barriers and push for systemic change that uplifts rather than punishes.Every program we offer is built from the ground up by women with lived experience, delivered by those who know the struggle firsthand.
We envision a world where women are no longer defined by their worst moments, but empowered to shape their futures on their own terms.