The 'Black Swan' actress has pledged to match up to $100,000 donation to a nonprofit organization to aid incarcerated women after they're released from prison.
- June 12, 2020
AceShowbiz - Natalie Portman celebrated turning 39 by supporting a charity that helps women newly released from jail.
The Oscar winner is matching donations to charity A New Way of Life charity up to $100,000 in order to help women adjusting to life after incarceration.
"For my birthday this year, I will be matching donations to Susan Burton's @anewwayoflifela, up to $100k," Natalie wrote in a post on Instagram on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. "I am in deepest gratitude for Susan's work, which helps heal our broken world."
"Ever since I first read Susan Burton's book Becoming Ms. Burton, I've been committed to supporting her organization A New Way of Life - which provides formerly incarcerated women with a safe place to sleep and a chance to rebuild their lives."
Natalie went on to explain that many of the women are mothers and have suffered the trauma of sexual or physical assault and, without the support of the charity, can get trapped in a vicious cycle of being imprisoned.
"The vast majority of these women have children and are victims of sexual or physical assault," Natalie continued. "Often, when they are released, they have no resources and the cycle of entrapment within the criminal justice system continues."
She added, "While there are so many great organizations fighting for racial justice, @anewwayoflifela is Susan's solution to ending mass incarceration and healing communities. Please join me today in supporting @anewwayoflifela if you're able."
The "Black Swan" star's donation comes as she joined a roll call of celebrities, including John Legend, Lizzo, Common, and Jane Fonda who have signed Black Lives Matter (BLM) co-founder Patrisse Cullors' letter urging local governments to 'defund' police departments and give more to healthcare and education.
