Angel Gilbert is a rising second year student at Columbia University and an aspiring social justice lawyer, whose work helps her to not only make a difference in other people’s lives but also heal her own wounds. She mentors individuals experiencing drug addiction at Strides to Recovery, and advocates for struggling parents who committed crimes while under the influence at Witness to Mass Incarceration. Angel works alongside the executive director and the rest of the journalist team to publicize the experiences of those behind bars, writing not only about incarcerated individuals but also about the parents, children, or friends that they leave behind. Angel's work is informed by her experience being placed in an inhumane child welfare system as her mother served time, and witnessing first-hand a system quick to disrupt secure placements but slow to provide rehabilitative care. Angel is also building and leading an affinity group with the non-profit DemocraShe this summer, for foster children interested in politics. She is honored to be a Miller Award recipient.
