"A lot of the times, you're almost 2defined by that bad choice and you are always 3fighting for people to look at you as equal." 

So, she says, something as small as a holiday card in the mail can 4make an impact. 

"My mom would send me a single card for Christmas every year, and that card meant the world to me." 

But seeing so many other women like her have to go without even a little holiday cheer, she decided to 5step in. 

"Did you ever think that it would get this big?"

"No. I never thought we'd be able to touch those numbers." 

Soon after her 6release in 2018, Demerath started cards behind bars to help 7incarcerated women feel seen around the holidays. What started with about 50 Christmas cards, 8put together with the help of her mother and daughter, grew serving thousands. Once people learned of her effort, they were eager to volunteer.

"To where we are able to 9sound out a single card to every woman who's incarcerated in the Wisconsin prison system." 

And Demerath says, for a lot of 10inmates getting the cards in the mail, the 11goodwill doesn't end with the new year. 

"We won't push for them to write. But when they 12end up sending us letters or emails thanking us, that kind of 13opens the door." 

Then through her work with the Convergence Resource Center, a Milwaukee based community service 14nonprofit, she's helped connect dozens of women to needed 15resources upon release.