Freedom Campaigns

Nora Andrade is FREE!

In 1986, Nora was sentenced to life in prison for killing her abusive husband, despite having no prior criminal history. On March 1, 2004, the Board of Prison Terms (also known as the “parole board”) recommended Nora for parole for the third time. Her two previous parole recommendations were reversed by former Governor Davis.

On Friday, July 23, 2004, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declined to review the parole board’s decision, which meant that Nora’s parole grant was now a reality for this 54-year-old grandmother.

Nora was stunned and overwhelmed when she heard the good news. She said over the phone, “I have a million and one emotions…Right now I don’t even know my own name.”

Her daughter, Lupe Galindo, had this to say after hearing that her mother was coming home:

"I still feel like any minute I'm going to wake up from this wonderful dream. I have waited for this day to come for so long...

Our prayers have been answered, and my mom has finally been granted her freedom! Our family will forever be grateful to Olivia [Steering Committee member and staff attorney at Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, Olivia Wang], Shabnam, and Angela, for your help, support, and motivation. After seventeen years of patiently, and passively waiting for our criminal justice system to parole my mother, my family and I came to the realization that we just had to do something to get her home. But we had no idea where to start. With no financial resources to hire legal representation, we felt so helpless every time my mom went before the BPT.

With the support from Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, we were motivated to rally the support of our small community by collecting letters and signatures, meeting with local business owners and politicians. Your determination motivated and inspired us to work for my mom's freedom. Even though it seemed hopeless at times, we never gave up on my mom. The letter campaign in support of her release was successful! And we hope that her freedom will inspire other families of prisoners to continue to work towards the freedom of their loved ones. Just remember Cesar Chavez's motto: 'Si se puede' (Yes, it CAN be done)

Best wishes, and my sincerest thanks on behalf of my entire family, Lupe Galindo"

Nora will be living in a transitional housing facility near Los Angeles for a few months before moving in with her family. Her release is the result of the collective efforts of her family members, her community, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, and Free Battered Women.

Tremendous thanks to Legal Services for Prisoners With Children's law student interns Angela Fitzsimons and Shabnam Malek for their tireless assistance on behalf of Nora and her family. Their dedication and energy were infectious and truly astounding.

Also, Free Battered Women extends our gratitude to everyone who sent a letter, fax, or email to the Governor urging him to release Nora -- your support made the difference between life imprisonment and freedom!

If you’d like to meet Nora in person, come to Free Battered Women’s annual event, Our Voices Within, on October 24 in San Francisco. Nora and other released survivors will be this year’s honored guests. Nora's release is a joyous occasion for all of us working to end interpersonal and state violence against women!

May the struggle continue…