Strong, hopeful and charismatic, Stacey Lannert doesn’t just speak about overcoming childhood sexual abuse, she connects with her audience. Stacey was released from prison where she served 18 years for fatally shooting the man who raped her from ages 8 through 18. That man was her father. Stacey never lost her ability to love life and learn from it even though she was sentenced to life without parole. The governor granted her clemency in 2009, and within 6 days, she walked out of the prison gates. Stacey had been granted her physical freedom; it was the ultimate act of forgiveness.

Stacey graduated in the top third of her class at law school in May 2017 and sat and successfully passed the bar exam. Stacey was fully pardoned by the Governor of Missouri on June 1, 2018, proving that a person always has the ability to overcome their past if they focus on the future. Stacey now works as an attorney representing indigent defense clients.

Filled with compassion, hope, humility, and even wit, Stacey’s thought-provoking messages serve many purposes. Her topics of discussion include: How to spot sexual and emotional abuse and what to do about it; The importance of speaking up, telling the truth and never being ashamed of who you are; The power of hope, forgiveness and helping others; And the legal system that can still be antiquated in how it deals with sexual abuse and women.

Her story has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, Nancy Grace on CNN, Larry King Live, and more.

Free for students, staff, and public.