Artist Statement
As a screenwriter, I am passionate about exploring societal injustices and amplifying marginalized voices through narratives, particularly through my latest project, Lady Justice, which addresses wrongful convictions affecting women and minorities. My background in film studies informs my exploration of identity, redemption, and systemic inequities, as I believe in the transformative power of storytelling to inspire change.
In “Lady Justice,” a gripping legal drama, the failures of the American justice system for marginalized women come to light through the journeys of Sophie, Maya, Nina, Gabby, and Paul from the Innocence Project’s Women’s Division. Driven by their personal injustices, they embark on a relentless quest to exonerate Sarah Martinez, a disabled Latina lesbian. This is a high-stakes courtroom drama, where the trial serves as a powerful stage that exposes systemic biases against women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community, challenging conventional narratives of justice and accountability, where two people are performing for an audience of twelve.
Sophie Blue, a former prosecutor, seeks redemption, reminding us that justice is about the impact of our choices, not just winning cases. Maya Tate embodies the relentless fight for equity, driven by her own encounters with systemic injustice. Gabby Rodriguez’s advocacy, fueled by her mother’s wrongful conviction, reveals the generational trauma caused by these failings. Together, these women bear the emotional weight of their battles, demanding respect for their stories.
What drives me to write this series is my passion for social justice, particularly in the realm of wrongful convictions. I’m particularly interested in how gender, race, and sexuality intersect to create unique forms of oppression in the courtroom—an aspect of law that is often overlooked in mainstream media. Lady Justice aims to elevate these stories, bringing to the forefront the struggles and triumphs of those who’ve been failed by the system.
At the heart of Lady Justice is the case of Sarah Martinez, a disabled Latina lesbian wrongfully sentenced to death, highlighting the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality in the legal system. Her story serves as the emotional and political anchor of the series, illustrating how various biases lead to wrongful convictions. Through Lady Justice, I aim to entertain while prompting audiences to engage with challenging issues of fairness, accountability, and the repercussions of systemic failures, ultimately seeking to inspire dialogue, and empathy.
As I continue this journey, I invite you to join me in exploring the depths of human experience and the stories that demand to be told. Together, let us celebrate the power of narrative to effect change and illuminate the path toward a more equitable society. I’m writing Lady Justice because it’s not just a legal drama—it’s a call to action. It’s a story about resilience, redemption, and the fight for a fairer system. As someone deeply invested in these themes, possessing both the personal drive and professional insight, I am confident I’m uniquely qualified to convey this narrative, as I truly experience it.
Sharon A. Taylor