On this week's 51%, we learn how one woman flourished after leaving a religious sect and created a lasting career on Wall Street. We also hear the journey of Fran Grey, a former addict, who is now the director of a rehab facility in West Virginia.
In 1940s Cambridge, Massachusetts a religious community called The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was formed. The Center's members—many of them highly educated and later ostracized for their beliefs – surrendered all earthly possessions and aspects of their lives, including their children, to their leader Leonard Feeney, a controversial Catholic priest who was later excommunicated.
Patricia Walsh-Chadwick and her family were original members of this community. In her book Little Sister: A Memoir, Chadwick opens up about her upbringing, leaving the sect and launching a successful career on Wall Street.
The paperback version of Little Sister: A Memoir is scheduled to be released April 28th and is published by Post Hill Press.
Now, we head to West Virginia with producer Aaron Henkin, where according to The National Institute On Drug Abuse, the rate of opioid overdose deaths is nearly double the national average. In Charleston, West Virginia the residential facility Recovery Point is doing what it can to stem the crisis and the head of the organization has a very personal stake in the work they do.
Fran Grey is the director of Recovery Point on the West Side of Charleston, West Virginia. This segment came to us from the podcast Out Of The Blocks and was produced by Aaron Henkin. Featured music was composed by Wendell Patrick.
That’s our show for this week I’m Elizabeth Hill, Allison Dunne will be back next week. Thanks to Tina Renick for production assistance. Our executive producer is Dr. Alan Chartock. Our theme music is Glow in the Dark by Kevin Bartlett. This show is a national production of Northeast Public Radio. If you’d like to hear this show again, sign up for our podcast, or visit the 51% archives on our web site at wamc.org. And follow us on Twitter @51PercentRadio. This week’s show is #1599.
