Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women

In Becoming Ms. Burton, Ms. Burton describes her difficulties of being young in a poor black neighborhood. There was the ever-constant worry of someone being shot or addicted to drugs. Of children being killed by police (as hers was). Of the trials of being addicted to drugs and being in and out of prison. Then she had a turn-around. She went to rehab and AA, and got a wonderful sponsor. She learned how to live sober – away from the family and neighborhood where she had always lived. She then realized how hard it is to become a functional member of society while an ex-felon. It’s hard to find a home, a job, to be treated like a human being. So she started a home for people just coming out of prison. Despite her lack of education on show more the topic of business, her home thrived and she helped many people to reintegrate into society. It’s a sad story as well as an uplifting one. I really loved hearing about her story, and think everyone should read books like this to help them understand that felons aren’t inherently evil – people just view them that way. show less

Amazing memoir that gives the reader the inside perspective of a former alcoholic and drug addict and how she created a safe re-entry space for women leaving prison, A New Way of Life. Sue Burton's early life story was beyond heartbreaking-no child should have to experience what she did. This book shares her journey of setbacks and successes of herself and many of the women she helped. It is so tragic how the laws and society roadblocks impede these women from coming back from mistakes, righting the wrongs they have done, and trying to create a good life for themselves and their children. If you are looking for a good memoir, I recommend this one.