Donna Hylton Shares "A Little Piece of Light" With New Memoir

Donna Hylton is a criminal reform advocate and women’s rights activist. Sentenced to 27 years for murder at the age of 20, Donna used her bid as a weapon to prosper from imprisonment to empowerment.

Trafficked into the United States, from Jamaica, through an illegal adoption, she was abused by her adopted parent – which her revolt led to incarceration. While imprisoned she claimed and grew into her truth as a survivor of abject trauma, earning three college degrees.

Now, Donna speaks publicly about the issues facing incarcerated women and girls through her novel and non-profit organization, A Little Piece of Light.

Bleu Magazine recently caught up with the author and activist to discuss her movement, her memoir, and more.

I was in such a dark place mentally based on the violence and lack of humanity around me that I did what I always did; I disassociated from everything and everyone around me. It was too much for me to handle as I was also harmed during the crime.

I was adopted and trafficked at 7 ½ years old. The rapes started when I was 9 ½ years old. I was taken from the only place I knew…my island, home, mother.

This reality shapes my work as I realize there are thousands of women and girls who have experienced and are experiencing the same trauma.

Most children want to be believed. I believe every person who tells me they have been harmed. As a child, I needed to be believed and not blamed.

Helen was and continues to be very special on my journey of healing because I vowed I would never see another human being harmed, neglected, suffering, and not do what I could to bring “light” to them.

I learned and understood unconditional LOVE from the situation with Helen and my “mother” Sr. Mary Nerney.

Creating more safe spaces for children and people who have suffered trauma. We (society) need to understand our role in the collective trauma.

A Little Piece of Light is available for purchase via Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and donnahylton.com