Shelley’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of second chances. Born and raised in Sacramento, she grew up in a world filled with instability. Her parents were teenagers when she was born, and her father struggled with substance use, cycling in and out of prison. Her mother was largely absent from her life, often leaving Shelley and her siblings with relatives. Shelley recalls, “I never felt important.”
By the time she was nine, Shelley was introduced to alcohol by her own father. It was just a game at first, bouncing quarters into a shot glass filled with beer, but it was the beginning of a path that led her down a dark road. In junior high, she gravitated toward friends who partied and broke the rules. By seventeen, she had tried meth for the first time. By twenty-six, she was thrust into full-blown addiction, using every day just to function.
about shelley
For years, Shelley managed to avoid major trouble with the law. She stayed under the radar, using but never selling drugs. Then, she moved to North Dakota. She tried to stop using drugs, but a coworker offered her meth and she spiraled again. When she could not easily find drugs in the rural area, she reached out to a friend in California to send her some. What started as a one-time favor quickly escalated into full-scale drug trafficking. The money was good, and the risk felt low. Then the feds got involved.
Shelley was caught in a sting operation and arrested. Because she was dealing and selling drugs across state lines, she was facing federal charges. Soon, she realized the gravity of her situation. The mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines meant she was looking at ten years in prison. And to complicate things even further, she found out she was pregnant.
“That was the turning point for me,” Shelley says. “I could not keep living like this. I had to change for my son.”
A Desperate Need for Change
Withdrawals in jail were brutal. Shelley was sent to a halfway house while she was awaiting sentencing, but she was surrounded by people still using. Shelley knew she could not stay in that environment. Desperate for a way out, she applied for a rehabilitation program, but was initially denied. She pleaded with her probation officer, explaining that she truly wanted help. Eventually, she was given permission to go, and that decision changed everything.
In treatment, Shelley faced the trauma of her past. She learned about addiction, inner child healing, and the power of forgiveness, not just for those who had hurt her but for herself. “I realized I had been carrying so much pain and resentment,” she says. “Letting it go was like lifting a weight off my soul.”
Shelley gave birth to her son while in treatment and was granted two precious weeks with him before she had to turn herself in to serve her prison sentence. Instead of ten years, she was sentenced to four. Thanks to a compassionate judge, she was able to serve her time in a prison close to home, where she could see her son during visits.
Shelley's Healing and Growth in Prison
Prison was not easy, but Shelley used the time to grow. She immersed herself in personal development, sought positive influences, and prepared for a new future. She focused on changing her mindset, recognizing that she had spent years seeing the world through a negative lens. “At first, I hated everything about it, and about the other women there,” she admits. “But when I finally surrendered and embraced the process, everything changed.” By the time she left prison, she had a new sense of purpose.
The Challenges of Reentry
Upon release, Shelley faced the all-too-common challenges of struggling with a criminal record. Finding a job, securing housing, and proving she was more than her past mistakes felt impossible. She quickly learned that having a criminal record closed many doors before she could even step through them. But she refused to let it break her.
Determined to stay on the right path, Shelley leaned on her newfound support system. She continued to prioritize personal development, attending wellness retreats and seeking out opportunities for growth. She found work, and though it was not easy, she remained committed to rebuilding her life.
Shelley saw a news segment for a technology boot camp called “Code Tenderloin” for justice-impacted individuals and thought she could be a good fit. She did not know anything about computers but she was eager to learn and signed up for the cohort. The next thing she knew, she was interviewing for a position at Microsoft.
Breaking Barriers at Microsoft
Shelley never imagined working for a global tech giant like Microsoft. With a record, every interview felt like an uphill battle. She spent months preparing, researching sales strategies, perfecting her interview skills, and networking with industry professionals.
“I knew I could not hide my past,” she says. “So I leaned into it. I told them my story and why I was the hardest worker they would ever meet.”
Eventually, Shelley finally got her shot. Microsoft offered her an entry-level sales position.
Fighting for Her Future
But just as she was beginning to believe her past would not define her future, Microsoft ran a background check and rescinded the employment offer. Shelley was devastated. She had done everything right, been honest, worked hard, and proven her worth, but corporate policies still viewed her as a risk.
Rather than accept defeat, Shelley fought back. She was living in San Francisco at the time. Shelley heard about a local ordinance in place that prevented large employers from discriminating against those with records when hiring. Shelley got in touch with a legal services organization who helped her file a claim against Microsoft, arguing that her criminal history was not relevant to her ability to succeed in the role. She gathered testimonies from mentors, former employers, and even customers who had seen her work ethic firsthand. The legal battle was exhausting, but Shelley refused to back down.
After months of deliberation, Microsoft reversed its decision. Shelley was reinstated and given the opportunity she had fought so hard for. She did not waste it. Shelley put in long hours, absorbing every bit of knowledge she could. Her past struggles had taught her resilience, and she used that same grit to build a successful career.
Shelley's Record-Breaking Career
Shelley’s ability to connect with people on a deep level made her an exceptional salesperson. Within a few years, she was not just meeting her quotas, she was shattering them. Soon, Shelley became Microsoft’s top salesperson in the world, an achievement she still finds surreal.
“I knew I had to work twice as hard to be seen as equal,” she says. “But I was not just working for myself. I was working for my son and for everyone who has ever been told they do not deserve a second chance.”
A Life of Purpose and Advocacy
Today, Shelley is a different person. She is a devoted mother, a leader in her community, and a voice for those seeking a second chance. She advocates for rehabilitation over punishment and works to help others who have struggled with addiction and incarceration.
“Recovery is not just about staying sober,” she says. “It is about becoming the best version of yourself.”
Wanting to pay forward the second chance she had been given, Shelley is launching her own organization, which she calls “Winners Circle.” It will be dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives. Her organization will provide job training, mentorship, and career placement assistance to those facing the same challenges she once did.
“I know how hard it is to start over,” she says. “I want to be the person for others that I needed when I got out.”
Through workshops, networking opportunities, and direct employer partnerships, Shelley hopes her organization will change the way businesses see justice-impacted individuals. She advocates for fair hiring policies and encourages companies to consider skills and character over past mistakes.
Shelley’s journey has been hard, but it proves that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always a way forward. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can inspire others to believe in the possibility of change and to never give up on themselves.
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This story is part of our #1in3 campaign, a project to end the stigma and raise awareness of how common it is to have a criminal record.
1 in 3 Americans has a criminal record, which is a lot more common than people think. No one expects to be involved in the justice system, but it can happen to anyone. People of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and income-levels are involved in the justice system. Their pathways vary, but the barriers of a record affect them all. Our hope is that by sharing their portraits and telling their stories, we can change the way people think about people with records and appreciate them for all they have overcome.
