RIALTO, Calif. - Fifteen years of Rose Ann Parker's life is stuffed inside a plastic bag: newspapers, photos, and letters…all reminders of the time she spent behind bars. 

“I used my time to cope, educate myself, and learn to be a good parent and to help others," Parker said. 

She was a model prisoner at C.I.W. -- the California Institution for Women -- in Chino. It's where convicted murderers are typically sent.

In 1986, Parker was pregnant and about to begin serving 25-to-life for second degree murder. 

Trial records show her longtime abusive boyfriend threatened to kill her and her children after learning she had become pregnant by another man. They were beaten and held hostage for days. 

“When my brother comes in to help me he hit him," said Parker. "I just grabbed the gun and I shot and the bullet hit my brother and him…now how could you possibly put me in prison for life? It’s like he still won, except I kept my mind so in the end I won."

She remained strong and made history, becoming the first person paroled from prison by former Governor Gray Davis -- who had previously vowed not to free anyone convicted of murder -- for any reason.

That was in December of 2000. She had served 15 years. 

She is most proud of the first award when she was released from prison, a large plaque with the words 'Christian Character Award.'

Since then, Parker has been trying to make up for lost time…she became a minister and founded Saving Our Women, a domestic violence outreach that helps victims nationwide. She lectures, offers online help, and has written a book detailing her journey in hopes of inspiring victims to leave abusive situations. 

“If you talk to a person with kindness, lovingly, they’ll realize the way they are being treated is not good," she said. 

Ten years of giving back to the community meant something to another Governor. 

On his final night in office, Arnold Schwarzenegger granted Parker a pardon for her offense. Now, she’s known as Dr. Rose Parker and counsels battered women, but the pain of what she’s endured will always be with her.