Like many Americans, Amanda Spillane and Courtney Haveman simply wanted a fresh start. A struggle with mental health led Spillane to abuse drugs and make mistakes that ultimately landed her in prison. Haveman’s bout with alcoholism led to several misdemeanors.

Both women have since worked hard to turn their lives around. They attended cosmetology school for a total of 18 months between them, and each spent more than $6,000 on tuition. Yet, after all of this training and payment, the Pennsylvania Cosmetology Board denied their license applications. Their criminal records were evidence of a lack of “good moral character,” according to the board, which promptly barred them from earning an honest living in their field of study, even after they secured job offers.