Annah As A Speaker REVISION

Inviting Annah and Ina to speak for us once again was a non-negotiable. The work that is tirelessly being done – with an ever evolving RAW model – to manifest change here in NZ is not only extraordinary, it’s a game changer. RAW is working with an often uncompromising demographic whose beliefs stem from generational traits that have gone before it – lifestyles and circumstances that dictate unimaginable outcomes many of us will never truly be able to comprehend. Yet the combination of Annahs incredibly engaging, factual and visionary delivery, combined with the raw reality of hearing directly from Ina – someone who has broken the cycle of being incarcerated no less than 7 times – is a powerful speaking combination that is unrivalled on the speaker circuit. To appreciate the enormity, impact and scalable change RAW is making, you need to hear and witness it direct from a duo that is unprecedented in its content and delivery. We all need to play a role here in NZ and open our eyes beyond our very safe and somewhat sheltered lives. Their message is one that we cannot ignore, and one that needs to be heard across the country.

Kate Webb – Founder RISE Events – 6th September 2017

Please extend our appreciation of Annah’s time last week. Her talk was excellent and so well pitched for the audience of girls and their mums. We are very happy that she came to visit us. In addition to an interesting and inspiring talk, we raised a few hundred dollars for our local Breast Cancer Foundation.

Julia Beaumont – Havelock North Intermediate School

Annah Stretton & Ina; so powerful and inspirational. All women had great stories but Annah has used her influence (and financial success) to make real social difference. Best of luck to Ina; so hope she can find and achieve her dream.

Gillian Patterson – Attendee at RISE 2016 Wellington

Good morning Annah, It is us that has to say many thanks to you, Ina and Gina for being part of our conference as keynote speakers. You and the girls were amazing. As I was told there would not be a dry eye and there wasn’t. Comments I have heard included – ‘they lifted the level of speakers at our conferences’, ‘inspirational’, ‘I will look at people in a different light now’. You and the girls were certainly a highlight of our conference. Your message has now reached another 320 people. In friendship, Evelyn

Evelyn – Inner Wheel Conference: Christchurch, April 2016

What an emotional but inspiring start to the day! The work Annah is doing with the RAW foundation is obviously having a positive effect. I felt incredibly privileged to hear Gina and Ina stand and tell their stories in such an articulate way and I thank them sincerely for their courage. I suspect they never realized they would ever inspire so many women.’ Many thanks Liz.

Liz Mills – Ballantynes, April 2016

Annah brings enthusiasm and pragmatism in speaking about why RAW is important, and how she has got the programme to achieve concrete outcomes for the women it works with. Gina and Ina’s stories were honest (and brutal); they gave us a real understanding of how difficult it is for a recidivist offenders to break the cycle of crime if they have no other option but to return home a toxic environment. I really admire the strength these woman showed revealing their difficult pasts and the hope and excitement they have for their futures. I think everyone in the room was left pondering how we can contribute to something bigger and wider reaching than a profit margin. What amazing ladies!

Jess Fiebig – Constituent & Community Liaison, April 2016

Danielle and I absolutely loved the event this morning. All 3 speakers were brilliant, relatable and spoke from the heart. There were numerous times where we were both fighting back the tears! As a woman, I really feel that this is a positive step in the right direction and really commend Annah for her success with the programme to date. We will definitely be actively supporting R.A.W. from this point forward.

Pip Bradford – Prestige Property Management, April 2016

Annah provided us with an outstanding key note address for our conference. Her sharp mind and her business acumen was strongly evident and very inspirational for our audience. It is not an exaggeration to say that everyone was hanging off her every word for the whole of her presentation. After she left, many people commented to me that they wanted more time to ask questions, further proving the extent to which she engaged the audience. Annah also did a fantastic job at crafting her presentation so that it paired perfectly with the topics we had asked her to talk to and which were relevant for our audience. Annah’s story is fascinating and her presentation for us was top notch.

Vanessa Frost – Lumino, April 2016

Annah Stretton was a panellist at the Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association (AWLA) Criminal Justice Forum on Domestic Violence held in March 2016. Prompted by the Government’s release of the public discussion document titled “Strengthening New Zealand’s legislative response to family violence” in 2015, AWLA assembled leaders from different areas of the criminal justice sector to share their opinions and experiences on how to address this multi-dimensional problem.Annah was joined on the panel by the Manukau Crown Solicitor Natalie Walker, Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, newly-appointed Solicitor-General Una Jagose, Police Superintendent Tusha Penny, and Labour MP Jacinda Ardern. Panellists spoke to the topic from various perspectives – be it prosecutorial, judicial, policy, police, or social justice – and touched on proposed legislative changes, the approach of the courts, and new initiatives targeting domestic violence.Annah is a confident and powerful speaker who inspired the audience by describing how her charity “RAW” is making a huge change in the lives of the “invisible demographic” of recidivist female offenders.Ms Stretton encouraged everyone to think about what they could do – to find something they are passionate about and do something towards making a change – and her own example is certainly proof that, with enough will, this can be done.Inspired by RAW’s maxim “If you can’t help 100 people, then just help one”, AWLA has made a financial contribution to RAW and wishes Annah and the team at RAW all the best with the successful implementation of the second stage of the RAW pilot.

Anita Killeen, Barrister, and Chair of the Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association Criminal Justice Forum on Domestic Violence, March 2016

Live Life In Colour brings an unseen collaboration of inspirational stories brought together, triggering a realism that we are all so capable of making our lives that much more ‘colourful’. From self-belief through to distinguishing stereotypes, do not make the mistake that this is just another fashion event – It’s not!From business start-up through to the undeniably thought provoking stories from previously incarcerated women that are now a part of RAW, Live Life In Colour is an event that makes you stop and take action.RAW is the most single-most impactive step, in giving recidivist female criminals a pathway forward, that NZ has ever seen and it’s a privilege to get to hear the stories of these women.

Kate Webb, March 2016

I was so impressed with the RAW work. I was privileged to sit next to Awhea. She blew me away how beautiful she was in every sense of the word. To come into that environment and converse so competently, through dinner, with people who would be right outside her comfort zone was astonishing. I nearly fell of my chair when she said she had been out of prison for 4 months, I had expected so much longer. I have been to some of our prisons, not the woman’s prison, as part of my work and it is always disturbing. I always come away thinking we will NEVER rehabilitate anyone from this environment. RAW is the proof that, provide a different environment, and miracles happen. I noticed a few of the woman were wiping away tears when speaking to the girls that Anna brought with her. It is certainly incredibly powerful seeing and hearing Anna’s guests as part of her presentation. I have a number of brochures and will certainly be spreading the word and trying to get furniture etc directed RAW way.It is truly inspiring work that you are all doing. I have talked about it today and everyone is very interested.

Margaret Cain, March 2016

Interest generated about RAW (Reclaim Another Woman) at the presentation given by Annah Stretton to Women on Boards New Zealand Waikato last night was overwhelming. Annah is clearly passionate about supporting women caught up in the prison system to make life changes. This is not only beneficial to the women involved but for all New Zealand as, through education, they harness their skills and abilities to once again become contributing members of our community. However, as Annah said in her presentation, RAW needs the support of all of us to fund the project and the incubator houses. I highly recommend RAW as a valuable and worthwhile organisation to support, whether that is through donations to givealittle.co.nz/org/reclaimanotherwoman, furniture for the houses – contact ktstace@xtra.co.nz, or by visiting the In Excess store at 92 Commerce Street, Frankton, Hamilton.

Linda Noble Chief Executive – Governance New Zealand & Women on Boards, November 2015

We had the absolute pleasure of Annah Stretton addressing the Newmarket Rotary Club earlier this year to educate our members about the RAW programme. She a confident and passionate speaker and what she and her team are achieving with vulnerable and abused women is nothing short of outstanding. A great nationwide support initiative is something that really resonates with Rotary and we hope to have Annah keep us updated on RAW’s progress in the coming months.

Richard Holden, President, Newmarket Rotary, December 2014