Beyond the Walls: Women, Freedom & Rural Transitions

Shimere Love is a dedicated advocate for criminal legal system reform with a rich and diverse background. A distinguished graduate from Rockford Career College with a background in paralegal studies certification, Shimere’s professional journey encompasses diverse roles. 

Shimere has embraced a new role as the Northern Regional Coordinator at the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, where she will actively contribute to impactful initiatives aimed at dismantling barriers to education, employment, housing, and civic engagement.

Having served 2.5 years of a 9-year prison sentence in a Wisconsin state women’s prison, she emerged stronger, later channeling her resilience into academic pursuits. As a committed advocate for men and especially women with incarceration backgrounds, she draws from her personal experiences to provide empathy and support.

Post-incarceration, Shimere achieved a significant milestone by completing her education. This triumph marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Shimere’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish Sisters By Love, a business crafting handmade hair oil and misting spray. 

Beyond her professional and entrepreneurial endeavors, Shimere is an accomplished writer currently working on her first book, Rewriting the Narrative: Advocating for Myself, set to be published soon. Her story is a testament to her resilience, strength, and commitment to positively impacting various facets of life.

Brigitta Mac-Rizzo serves as the Executive Director of the Jackson County Housing Authority (JCHA), where she oversees a portfolio of 758 public housing units, 12 rural development units, and 663 Housing Choice Vouchers. She is spearheading efforts to expand housing in Jackson County to the agency’s statutory limit of 840 units. Under her leadership, the JCHA has increased occupancy, improved voucher utilization, and secured additional funding for resident self-sufficiency programs. 

Brigitta is committed to leveraging her expertise in real estate, finance, and housing management to foster vibrant, economically empowered communities. She relocated to Jackson County, Illinois, in 2019 with her husband, Dr. David Mac-Rizzo, who now serves as a Regional Director of Operations for Highlight Healthcare in Woodstock, Illinois. 

Before joining JCHA, Brigitta held senior roles at the Housing Authority of New Haven, where she was responsible for financial management, RAD conversion planning, and internal controls for various housing programs. Brigitta’s career spans over 20 years, with extensive experience in strategic leadership, fiscal management, contract negotiations, and public relations. She holds an MBA in Finance and an MPA from the University of New Haven and is currently pursuing a Master of Real Estate Development from Georgetown University. She is also a licensed realtor, a certified public housing manager, and a certified financial specialist. 

Brigitta serves as an active member of several professional organizations, including the Illinois Association of Housing Authorities, the Carbondale NAACP, and the Cairo Housing Task Force.

Sheree Rather is a dedicated community activist and mother from Southern Illinois with a deeply personal understanding of the challenges faced by those directly impacted by the carceral system. 

After returning home 15 years ago, Sheree has advocated for systemic changes and support for individuals re-entering society. She has lived in Southern Illinois for many years, building a life and community ties evident in her advocacy work. 

Professionally, Sheree has been the manager of a local McDonald's for over five years, a role in which she has demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to her team. Her experiences have shaped her career and her passion for community engagement, making her a respected and influential figure in her community.

Charmonique Rogers is known in the Southern Illinois area to be an advocate for all things social services. She has held positions such as Case Manager, Social Worker, Parent Educator, and Childhood Trauma Specialist. 

Charmonique holds a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Counselor Education. She often volunteers with many organizations in the Southern Illinois area. 

Charmonique's favorite quote is, “The strongest people are those who win battles we know nothing about."

Alessandra Nicholson, a 16-year healthcare veteran, returns to her first love—writing. Since 3rd grade, she has crafted short fiction, poetry, and song lyrics, drawing from her experiences in Carbondale, IL, and Oakland, CA. 

Alessandra's work explores childhood trauma as a means of healing and expression. 

A former open mic host, she now shares her vibrant storytelling on TikTok as @LadyAVN, embodying a passion for truth and creativity.