Saturday in downtown St. Louis a group of activists called Expect Us gathered in front of the Justice Center to help some families in need. Organizers said thanks to help from the community some children were reunited with their mothers just in time for the holiday.
Three mothers who were behind bars were given a second chance at life after having their bails paid. Now one of those mothers and community activists want to help more women in similar situations.
26-year-old Whitney Gipson said she recently fought one of the toughest battles of her life after being separated from her son for ten days. But thanks to the Bail Out Black Mothers this Mother’s Day event by Expect Us, she had her bail of $1,000 paid. Gipson said it was a generous act that she was not expecting.
"I never been away from my baby that long, never. I feel like somebody really cares like I honestly was telling the girl in jail I can’t afford to get out,” Gipson said.
Expect Us started a go fund me to help mothers like Gipson with minor charges like traffic violations get released from jail just in time for Mother’s Day. It’s something organizers like Ebony Williams said wouldn't have been possible without help from the community.
"The community is actually standing up to the injustices that are going on. When you stand up for what’s right other people who value what you are standing up for will stand with you," Williams said.
Gipson said the treatment she received while she was in jail is what makes her want to fight for other women who are still inside.
"In this building, they had us in the bathroom no running water, we did not have running water. It was like I was in the dog pound like they just weren't feeding us like they didn’t care," Gipson said.
Grateful to be released from jail and reunited with her son Gipson said she plans to cherish every moment they have together.
"I don't want to be around anyone else but him. Mother’s Day isn’t even going to be about me it’s going to be about him," Gipson said.
This is the first year Expect Us organized this type of event. However, organizers said they're looking forward to helping more people in the community who need it.
