Gloria Franklin knows which questions to ask.“Who is going to see this?”

Gloria is waiting to be interviewed at the Bridgeport Correctional Center in Bridgeport, TX.

“Did the warden approve this?”

She’s the facility’s Unit Supply Coordinator. And she’s not necessarily happy to be getting interviewed, though it’s not too hard to be fooled by her demeanor.

“You can edit this, right?”

She asks about where the video will be posted.

“80 years old and I finally became a star!”

Linda Thomas is the warden of the Bridgeport facility. “A little bit about Ms. Franklin,” she says. “When I got here, I was just a little…not sure,” she grins, “but as you get to know her, she has the biggest heart of anybody here. She’ll tell you like it is, whether you want to hear it or not.”

Gloria worked many years as a correctional officer.

“To me,” says Gloria, “when you come into this industry, if you don’t feel like you want to make a difference in people’s lives, you shouldn’t be here. And I believe that from the bottom of my heart. I think we can make a difference. I think that the caring, but also the firm, fair, consistent, professional way to do it is optimum.”

Gloria is an impact employee. Everything she does, she does with energy and determination. Like how she participated in the facility’s recent service project for the homeless.

“Well, the homeless drive, which is truly dear to her heart; now, she’s like, ‘okay, no no no, I got this organization, I’m ready, let’s go’,” said warden Thomas. “So, I mean, she really steps up, and when you look at what team means, together everyone achieves more, she truly fits into that definition.”

When not at work, Gloria enjoys reading. And spends a great deal of time on social media, and maybe even stirring the pot a little bit.

“What I do is love to annoy (people) on Facebook,” Gloria states plainly, then looks at the camera. “Now, that is not going to go in (the video), I’m sure.”

Not only is Warden Thomas appreciative of Gloria, with her delightful personality and dedication, but he is also grateful for each one of her outstanding employees.

“So the staff here is amazing,” Warden Thomas says. “They all come together to achieve that one common goal, to ensure that we look at making sure the inmates feel like they’re a part of this team which makes this facility operate. It’s just an amazing staff when you have everybody on one accord. I just have to say we have some amazing people here.”

“Honestly,” Gloria relates, “I feel that I still can make a difference. I love what I do.”

With the interview over, she looks at the camera.

“Actually, this isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”