The Women of Power (WOPAA) Alumni Association and Support Group is a non-prophit organization which was established in June 2002, attaining 501(c)3 status in August of 2006. WOPAA is a group of female ex-offenders who have attained successful transition from the Cook County Sheriff’s Department of Women’s Justice Services. WOPAA members are working towards self sufficiency through collaborative efforts with support from DWJS staff.

The Women of Power Alumni Association and Support Group is a safe place where women ex-offenders can talk frankly about the struggles faced in maintaining recovery and moving forward after any type of incarceration. Long term goals of the group include holding annual education workshops, health fairs, financial literacy programs, and cultural awareness events. WOPAA envisions finding concrete mechanisms that include having an active role in establishing safe supportive environments as women. reintegrate into the community.

As of August 2006, our membership has grown to 519 members, with 283 of these members actively participating in various meetings and activities within the last three months.

Our latest Newsletter is now on-line!!

You can view our latest WOPAA Newsletter by clicking the link below.  All you need is to have Adobe Viewer installed on your computer, as the Newsletter has been uploaded in the PDF format.  If you do not have Adobe Viewer, you can click the link below the Newsletter to go directly to the Adobe website and download the latest version of Adobe viewer free.

Click here to view the latest WOPAA Newsletter...

  Click here for a direct link to the Adobe website to download and install Adobe Viewer...

Women of Power Alumni Association on Local Television!

In early 2006, The Women of Power Alumni Association was featured on the cable television show "Behind the Badge".  The segment gave a brief history of the organization and featured President Lisa Cunningham-Depiña and Vice-President Marian Hatcher, respectively.  We have included that segment of the show as part of the website and can be view by following the link below.

Download Instructions:

Download the file by clicking the right mouse button over the link and choosing "save target as". You will then be propted to choose a folder within your computer that you would like to have the file downloaded to. Once you have chosen the file, click save. The file will automatically download to your computer. Once the download in complete, click the "open" button and the QuickTime Player will open automatically. You will then need to press the play button to begin the movie.

Right click here to download the movie.

In order for the movie to run on your computer you must have QuickTime Player.  If you do not have QuickTime Player on your computer, you can click on the link to the QuickTime website to download a free viewer.

  Click here to dowload QuickTime Player

Who We Are:

Lisa Cunningham, President

A 44-year-old married mother of 5.  Work history began as a personal banker.  Drug use began at age 13.  Lisa currently has 4 years of uninterrupted clean time.  Rehabilitation began through a DCFS referral to Haymarket Outpatient Treatment Program and continued through the Sheriff’s Female Furlough Program.  She is currently employed by the Cook County Sheriff’s Department of Women’s Justice Service’s as a Peer Coordinator. Before being elected to the office of President Lisa served in that capacity as an appointee by DWJS staff from August 2004 until elected January of 2005. In addition to being the President of WOPAA, Lisa also serves on the Board of Directors. Duties as President of the WOPAA (a non-profit organization incorporated in January 2006) include; organization and strategic planning, event coordination, 12-Step meeting coordination, and execution of the responsibilities as stated in the by laws of WOPAA.

Marian Hatcher, Vice-President

A 46-year-old married mother of 5.  Marian is an experienced 15-year financial professional with three major corporations.  Drug use began in mid thirties.  She currently has 3 years of uninterrupted clean time.  Rehabilitation began with treatment provided by the Sheriff’s Female Furlough Program and the Department of Women’s Justice Services’ Women’s Residential Treatment Program.  As a client of Women’s Rehabilitative Alternative Probation, additional outpatient services were received upon release.    She is currently employed by the Cook County Sheriff’s Department of Women’s Justice Service’s as a Peer Coordinator. In addition to being Vice President of WOPAA, Marian also serves on the Board of Directors. Duties as Vice-President of the WOPAA (a non-profit organization incorporated in 2006) include; strategic planning, event coordination, 12-Step meeting coordination, and execution of the responsibilities as stated in the by laws of WOPAA.

Sharon McDaniel, Parliamentarian                            

Sharon McDaniel is a 42 year old single mother of 8.Employment History includes experience as a Mental Health and Psych Behavior Specialist. Sharon has 5 years of uninterrupted clean time.  Rehabilitation began through the Sheriff’s Female Furlough Program. As a client of the Women’s Rehabilitative Alternative Probation, additional outpatient services were received upon release. She is currently employed as a Field Interviewer for Safety and Empowerment/DWJS. Duties as Sgt. of Arms of WOPAA (a non-profit organization incorporated in 2006).

© 2008 Women of Power Alumni Association
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