Piper Kerman was born on September 28, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, into an affluent family. She had a privileged upbringing and attended Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Growing up, she never imagined that her life would take the turn it did.
After college, Piper found herself in a tumultuous romantic relationship with a female drug dealer. This relationship led her down a dangerous path, and she eventually became involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. In 1998, Piper was indicted on charges related to her criminal activities.
Following her indictment, Piper spent a year in prison, serving time for her drug trafficking and money laundering charges. During her time behind bars, she had a lot of time to reflect on her choices and the consequences of her actions. It was during this period that she began to document her experiences, which would later become the basis for her bestselling memoir.
Upon her release from prison, Piper wrote her memoir, detailing her time in prison and the challenges she faced. The book garnered widespread acclaim and caught the attention of producers, who eventually turned it into the hit Netflix series "Orange is the New Black." The show became a cultural phenomenon and brought Piper's story to a global audience.
In 2014, Piper received the prestigious Justice Trailblazer Award from the John Jay College Center on Media, Crime, & Justice for her contributions to raising awareness about criminal justice issues. She became an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform and joined the Women's Prison Association board to help support other women who had been incarcerated.
Piper's personal life has also been the subject of public interest. She is openly bisexual and married author and magazine publisher Larry Smith in 2006. Despite the challenges she has faced, Piper has remained resilient and dedicated to using her platform to make a positive impact on the world.
Piper Kerman's story serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of our choices and the resilience of the human spirit. Through her writing and advocacy work, she has inspired countless individuals to overcome adversity and work towards creating a more just and compassionate society.
Related links