Paula Williams

Activist, Artist, Change Agent

For over a decade, Paula Williams has been an outspoken activist and benefactor at the forefront of some of the most challenging social conditions today. While these conditions often cause most people to look the other way, Paula has faced them head-on. Her work in and around topics such as sex trafficking, childhood trauma, mental illness, addiction, recovery, and homeless teens has brought about significant change not only in other people’s lives but her life as well. Paula's support for social programs is equally matched by her willingness to speak openly and honestly about these issues. She is engaging, deeply empathetic, fearless and has been known to be a little irreverent. She knows, in her bones, that every issue, no matter how serious or playful, calls for wisdom and awareness. In 2016, Paula brought her wisdom to the work she was doing and began to see a common thread running through much of the adversity she had witnessed: Shame. Through personal and professional experiences, Paula realized shame was not being directly addressed. This inspired her to dig into the subject, studying the work of others and closely looking at the issues she was working with. She discovered that for us to truly recover and thrive, we need to be willing to face the shame that terrifies us. She began to make connections about how she, as an artist, cultural provocateur, and benefactor, could help bring light to shame and help others be free. SHAMEBOOTH was born. An art installation, intervention, a podcast, and a movement, SHAMEBOOTH offers people a platform to share the things they are ashamed of, to shed light on their hearts and souls and to feel free. And it’s certainly resonating. The booth has developed from an idea and has now collected hundreds of stories, from all different backgrounds, ages and sensibilities. It’s a magical transformation founded in the wisdom that comes from the heart. Initially, SHAMEBOOTH started as an old phone booth that was retrofitted: A gorgeous baby blue on the inside, stark white on the outside and on the top, a bright red neon sign that boldly invites you to “Speak Your Shame.” People enter the booth and immediately feel a sense of privacy and safety. They pick up the receiver of an old-fashioned telephone as a gentle voice invites them to tell their story. With their permission, their story is recorded. These are stories of shame, forgiveness, redemption, freedom and reclaiming power. Participants often emerge out of the booth feeling lighter, frequently expressing tears of joy and liberation, and are surprised by the impact the experience is of talking about their shame and letting it go. SHAMEBOOTH was initially developed for a one-off event, but has since traveled to numerous locations, recorded hundreds of stories, and has turned into a podcast and a movement. Paula’s current work involves getting SHAMEBOOTH into communities, hosting the podcast, speaking about the journey of SHAMEBOOTH, both through her own personal stories and the story of the booth itself, and partnering with other organizations to further the mission: “SHAMEBOOTH offers people a chance to unburden themselves, be welcomed, and share their healing story with the world so that others may connect and do the same.” At the heart of Paula is a fierce desire to change how people treat and care for others. She is a protector and advocate for the humanity in all of us. Paula doesn't just talk about the issues; she creates evocative platforms to help us see, hear, and heal.

Connecting with people who have a story to tell. finding humor in the darkness. Shining a light on shame. Making stuff. Surrounding myself with supporters not doubters.

SHAMEBOOTH is a public art intervention, bringing people an opportunity to relinquish themselves from shame and allow their stories to inspire others. I’m building a movement, for all of us, one recording at a time. We all have shame, it holds us back. When we share it we are freer and more connected. I converted a phone booth into a recording studio and invited people in. SHAMEBOOTH is changing lives.

power tools.