National Speakers Association – Arizona!

Sue Ellen Allen

Candidate

Gina's Team

2935 N. 68th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

480-343-8185

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in prison with advanced breast cancer at 57? How would you cope? It happened to Sue Ellen Allen. This former University of Texas grad, former educator, former business owner, former community leader, former inmate at Arizona State Prison is a current activist who found her purpose in prison. She is co-founder and Executive Director for GINA’s Team, an organization that brings educational programs into prison to inspire and empower the inmate population to strive for a better future and a successful reentry. GINA’s Team is named for her prison roommate who died there of medical neglect. Gina’s death was the defining moment of Sue Ellen’s journey, giving her life a new purpose and passion. Her motto is

Been there. Done that. Now how can I help?

In prison, under harsh conditions, she survived breast cancer and learned to turn her pain into power. Despite incredible odds, she found her purpose. Now she works with prison officials, legislators, and interns from Arizona State University to serve the forgotten population behind bars so that upon their re-entry to society, they will join our community as positive, contributing members.

The author of The Slumber Party from Hell, a memoir about her prison journey, Sue Ellen was awarded the Dawson Prize in Memoir in the 2009 Prison Writing Contest for PEN American Center. Her writing was also included in Serving Productive Time by Tom & Laura Lagana, authors of Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul. Additionally, many of her poems have been published in Cosmopolitan magazine.

She is an inspirational speaker with a unique story and powerful message.