Catherine Lipinsky is a valuable member of the Great North Innocence Project volunteer community. She’s contributed to GNIP’s mission as a member of the Benefit for Innocence Committee and worked with GNIP freed client Tom Rhodes to launch his digital art gallery, Thomas D Galleries.
Great North Innocence Project: Tell us about yourself.
Catherine Lipinsky: I relocated to Minnesota from Chicago in 2011 and live in Southwest Minneapolis with my family and crazy mini-goldendoodle. I’m a lawyer by training, but I haven’t been practiced in years instead focusing my efforts on non-profit work.
GNIP: How long have you been volunteering with GNIP?
CL: This is my first year.
GNIP: How did you learn about GNIP and why did you want to volunteer with the organization?
CL: I have followed the Innocence Project for many years. I reached out to volunteer with GNIP after attending last year’s Gala and learning about the many important cases GNIP is working on with clients locally.
GNIP: What about GNIP’s mission and work speaks to you?
CL: I can’t imagine anything more scary, frustrating and dehumanizing than being wrongfully accused, convicted and incarcerated for a crime I didn’t commit. I want to be a voice and advocate for those unfairly caught in the criminal justice system.
GNIP: What has been the most meaningful part of your volunteer experience so far?
CL: I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a recently freed GNIP client on the creation of an online art gallery to showcase the art he created while in prison. Everything about the opportunity is what draws me to volunteer at GNIP — the notion of redemption and vindication for the wrongfully accused.
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