Bess Klassen-Landis was 13 years old, living in a small Mennonite community in rural northern Indiana when her mother was brutally raped and murdered in their home. The crime was never solved and Bess lived with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for the next 37 years.
After joining other murder victim family members on the Journey of Hope…From Violence to Healing in Texas in 2005, Bess experienced deep healing and a letting go of fear. She realized that while living with fear, she had compromised her own humanity. She ultimately forgave her mom’s murderer and reclaimed the fullness of her own humanity.
Bess has continued to work for abolition of the death penalty since that time. She has shared her powerful message of healing through love rather than vengeance to audiences around the country. Bess took a year’s leave of absence from her job as an elementary art teacher to speak to hundreds of groups including high schools, universities, prisons, churches and civic groups across twelve states. Bess has also testified before New Hampshire’s Senate Judiciary Committee, New Hampshire’s Death Penalty Study Commission and before legislators in the Missouri State House.
Bess is an artist, teacher and singer songwriter, residing in southeastern Vermont since 1987. Bess has just released her second CD, Way Up In Vermont. www.bessklassen-landis.com
Serving the community for 27 years, Burlington Dismas House is the largest and longest running provider of post prison housing in Chittenden County, and has housed more than 650 former prisoners. Burlington Dismas House offers structured, supportive transitional housing for men and women striving to change their lives as they struggle to make the change from lives of crime and addiction to lives as independent and contributing members of the community. By helping former prisoners transition to productive lives, Burlington Dismas House helps to reduce the repetition of criminal behavior and ensure greater public safety. For more information visit www.dismasofvermont.org. MC, Thomas J. Donovan, State's Atorney of Chittenden County - Rev. Frederick 'Rick' Ney, Interfaith Chaplain, Fletcher Allen Health Care, receives Jack Hickey Award.
