Ginny Burton’s life is a testament to
the power of perseverance and the potential for redemption, even in the
face of insurmountable odds. Growing up in a household where both of her
parents were addicted to drugs, Burton’s own drug use began with
marijuana and eventually led to heroin and crack cocaine. She and her
mother would use drugs together, leading to a cycle of addiction and
criminal behavior that saw Burton convicted of 17 felonies, including
identity theft, assault, and armed robbery. After serving three separate
terms in prison, Burton finally found the motivation to turn her life
around. In 2016, she went back to school at the University of Washington
and was awarded a highly competitive $30,000 graduate school
scholarship as a 2020 Truman Scholar and Martin Honor Scholar,
ultimately earning a total of $74,000 in scholarships. At the age of 48,
she graduated with a degree and a newfound determination to make a
difference in the world. Burton now advocates for “incarceration with
intention,” which seeks to provide incarcerated individuals with the
resources they need to turn their lives around and reintegrate into
society. She believes that such a program would not only benefit those
who are incarcerated but would also create a safety net for the broader
community. Burton’s own life experience with addiction, criminal
justice, and homelessness, combined with her education, has given her a
unique perspective and credibility in areas that most policymakers lack.
She is committed to changing policies in the prison system and in
homeless systems, and to putting her life experience to use in creating
more effective, empowering solutions for those who are suffering as a
result of current policies. Ginny Burton’s story is a reminder that,
even in the darkest moments, there’s always hope for a better future.
