Unfortunately the cycle of domestic abuse can be handed down, from generation to generation, and it is an inheritance that can prove deadly.  Such was the case for Kelly Savage-Rodriguez.  Kelly grew up in an abusive family, and her mother was constantly, in the criminal justice system.  Kelly herself was in a domestic violence situation when sadly she lost her 4 year old son, at the hands of her then husband. While Kelly’s husband was sentenced to LWOP - Life Without Parole, Kelly herself was charged, at the time, with the California failure to protect law. Kelly served 23 years behind the wall and she also lost her baby daughter to her ex-husbands family. But Kelly wasn’t going to quit fighting for her release, and in November of 2018 had her LWOP sentence commuted by then California Governor Brown.  Through all of Kelly’s pain, she used her time in prison to not only improve herself, but help others, including taking on a role with the California Coalition of Women Prisoners, as a Drop LWOP Coordinator.  Kelly is still in that role today, but fortunately outside the wall.

The Hustler Files Ep. 84 - Sentenced to Life Without Parole, But She Didn't Do the Crime

Gloria Matlock Founder and Executive Director 
Debbie Shriver Chair of the BOD
Michael Kane BOD Member
Shino
Jemanae
Jayleigh
Rose
www.twice-as-smart.org

Founded in 2016 in Gloria's home, Twice As Smart was begun on the principle that some kids need extra help. Because Gloria saw a need and because she is a fixer, she wanted to help fix a learning deficiency in Franklin County. What bean with 7 kids in her living room quickly rose to 17 before she realized she needed a bigger space. The program now sees 32 students in the basement of the Second Congregational Church in Greenfield. Gloria grew up in Ohio and began teaching other children at age 11. She saw the value of education and the need to help others when possible. Debbie and she met over singing and have been friends ever since. There is a strong music component to TAS and the kids overlap with the Musica Franklin curriculum in Greenfield as well. Join us to learn why you should support this amazing non-profit in the 413. A special song by the children was the highlight of the interview. Thanks for listening. Happy New Year.

Seg 3 -- Twice As Smart

1/3/25: MTA Pres Max Page: change K-12 funding & other 2025  priorities. Bill & Buz: the meaning of the oath that Congress takes today. Donnabelle Casis w/ New England Visionary Artists Museum Co-directors Michael Tillyer & Susan Foley. Community Action's Claire Higgins on Housing. Human Rights Attorney Laura Pitter: the issue is genocide.

Community Action's Claire Higgins on Housing

Donnabelle Casis w/ New England Visionary Artists Museum Co-directors Michael Tillyer & Susan Foley

Bill & Buz: the meaning of the oath that Congress takes today

Human Rights Attorney Laura Pitter: the issue is genocide.

MTA Pres Max Page: change K-12 funding & other 2025  priorities

1/6/25: Sen Jo Comerford: bracing for Trump, newly passed bills, & 2025 priorities. Hamp Mayor GL Sciarra: municipal money, capital Improvements -- SEXY! & the Main St. Project. Daniel Yalowitz, Recorder columnist & former Chair, Gfld Human Rts Comm: surviving dark times well. Megan Zinn w/ romance novel legend Loretta Chase: “My Inconvenient Duke.”

Megan Zinn w/ romance novel legend Loretta Chase: “My Inconvenient Duke.”

Daniel Yalowitz, Recorder columnist & former Chair, Gfld Human Rts Comm: surviving dark times well

Sen Jo Comerford: bracing for Trump, newly passed bills, & 2025 priorities

Hamp Mayor GL Sciarra: municipal money, capital Improvements -- SEXY! & the Main St. Project

Podcasts from all of the local show on WHMP Radio in Northampton, MA. including Talk the Talk with Bill Newman and Buz Eisenberg, The Hustler Files, The Western Mass Business Show, and Panorama.