StoryCorps CT

In this conversation, lifelong friends Maerie and Roberta honor the memories of their mothers, Mildred and Alberta, the deep bond between all four of them, and what amazing women they were. They also share the supportive role that Al-Anon played in all their lives. “Had I not had your mom, I don’t know what path I would have taken.” - Meari “Blessed are thou that we had our moms and that we have each other.” - Roberta Hear Mearie and Roberta's full conversation in the StoryCorps Archive. For more about StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra and Doreen both immigrated from Barbados to the U.S. in their youth and share two share very different experiences of coming to North America. Doreen also explains how she never felt confident putting roots down here. “I have to say I was initially very impressed. I was a very curious child, so I was looking around, I was like, I love the lights. There was so much to like.” - Sandra “Clearly, I’m still here. And so, at some point, I’m going to have to own this American self.” - Doreen Hear their full interview in the StoryCorps Archive. For more on StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct. W7Bv9J4JkH70C2XGbeFG See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrea Rapacz talks with Lydia Mele about her parent's love story and the impact Lydia's mother, Olga Mele, had on their family and the Hispanic community in the Hartford area. You'll hear about her early involvement in the San Juan Center and her tireless efforts to support the people in her community. Lydia told Andrea, “Mom inspired everyone to reach their highest potential, including me.” “Her main mission was to help people find jobs, get educated, and empower them to help themselves.” - Lydia Mele “He always said my mother was his salvation.” - Lydia Mele (referencing a story about her father) Hear the full interview in the StoryCorps Archive. For more on StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynn and Gerard have spent over four decades together. In this conversation, they recall the early days of their relationship and what their experiences were like coming out to their families. “I remember going home to my apartment building, and I walked in the front door and just screamed, ‘I just told my mother!’” - Gerard “I hope we have another forty years together.” - Lynn For more on StoryCorps CT visit, ctpublic.org/storycorpsct. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tina grew up in Nicaragua and Ruby’s family is from Mexico. The two met in New Haven and shared their experiences growing up and how they developed deeper connections to their roots while living in the United States. “The first thing I did was connect more with my family.” - Ruby “When I left, I realized how much I actually loved my culture and loved my country.” - Tina “I feel like New Haven is a good place to grow.” - Tina Hear their full interview in the StoryCorps Archive. For more on StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristin and Ken met through an online dating app. Ken was a former PGA Tour golfer who lost his right leg and more in a tragic accident. In this conversation, Kristin shares what attracted her to Ken and how amazed she was at his deep relationship with his friends. “When I look back on life, those the are things you’re gonna remember. The relationships you’ve had with people.” - Ken “If you’ve got that great connection with people you love, it’s a home run.”- Ken Hear Ken and Kristin's full interview in the StoryCorps Archive. For more on StoryCorps CT visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally and Sam Roudebush had been married for 43 years at the time they recorded this interview. Together they talk about how Sam’s job in the U.S. Coast Guard allowed them to meet so many wonderful people. Sally shares her perspective on being a military spouse and the positive social impacts of the military community. “That’s one of the best things of moving around as much as we did, meeting the people we did.” - Sally “Some of my favorite parts of our travels have been the people we’ve gotten close to. All the wonderful folks that are still part of our lives.” - Sam To hear their full interview, visit the StoryCorps Archive. For more about StoryCorps CT visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two sisters from West Hartford, tell the story of their maternal grandmother. She is Native American and was forced to live in an Indian Residential School in British Columbia when she was five. They describe the trauma she experienced during her time in the school and how that trauma extended into the next two generations of their family. A cycle they are determined to break for the generation they're raising now. They also share how much they love and appreciate their grandmother, who's in her nineties. “It’s been very important to me to end the cycle with us.” To hear more stories visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bryan Sayles's twin daughters showed interest in learning music at a young age. Despite challenging times he and his wife always found ways to support Molly's drumming and Emma's trombone playing and music composition. The family talks about how music has brought them together and created lasting memories to continue today. Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh For more visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Endia DeCordova talks with her mother, Gem DeCordova, about how her late father was introduced to the West Indian community in Harford after immigrating to the States from Jamaica. Gem shares how the West Indian Social Club was born out of those early community gatherings and the legacy of kindness and inclusion her husband left behind. “When they get a day off, this is where they go. It was like a party house for everyone to meet, and that kind of hold them together as Jamaicans knowing there are other Jamaicans they can rely on.” – Gem DeCordova on the role of the West Indian Social Club in their lives. “Daddy was one to really lead from his heart. He epitomized the idea that we are all one. He really lived by that motto ‘one love.’” – Endia DeCordova “He was such a giving man. A giving man until the day he died.” – Gem DeCordova Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut artist Ricky Mestre talks with friend and New Haven Pride Center Executive Director Patrick Dunn about the role art plays in their lives. They explore queer art as a genre and how art has the power to reflect a community. “I enjoy the arts so much that I want to be around all of it.” – Ricky Mestre Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randy Mott in Bloomfield, CT, talks with her 92-year-old mother, Jackie Brown, about the many ways she’s reinvented herself. Jackie shares a funny story of the catalyst for how she became a successful artist and painter at the age of sixty. Jackie still paints today. “I’ve had a really interesting life and some of it’s been hard but it made me a stronger person, I think.” – Jackie Brown “Now, you are our hero because you’ve done some many things and taught us that we can risk, and we can be optimistic even when the world is kind of negative.” – Randy Mott Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dawn Ennis shared an intimate conversation with her child, Leif, who was known as Liam when they recorded this StoryCorps conversation. The two talk about what it was like for Dawn to come out to her children as transgender, the loss of Leif’s mom to cancer, and how their family supports each other unconditionally. “It’s a thrill to be a dad who is also a mom because I get the best of both worlds.” - Dawn Ennis “It’s awesome to have a transgender father because, like, you can grow up in an understanding household.” - Leif Ennis Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seventeen-year-old Rae George interviews her mother, Weruché George, the two share their thoughts on honoring and preserving culture here in the U.S. Weruché shares how her Dad’s influence shaped her and what she hopes her children take with them from their Nigerian heritage. Rae offers her advice of gratitude for those who may be new to the U.S. Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maija Earl recalls her son Erik Sparkowski being outgoing, talkative, and happy while growing up. But in sixth grade, that all changed, as Erik began to struggle in ways he never had. In this StoryCorps CT conversation, Maija and Erik talk about their commitment to finding the right treatment path that would help and support Erik with his anxiety and learning disability. Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh Hear their full StoryCorps Mobile Tour interview, recorded in 2021. For more, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut Lawyers Kim Jacobsen and Kathy Flaherty met while working for the same company. They talk about Kathy’s experience navigating the workplace while being open about her bipolar disorder. Kim shares how an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease led her to embrace talking openly about disabilities. Their bond of friendship has helped each other and others who live and work with disabilities. Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more info, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Audrey Daigneault of Norwich, CT, was only 16-months old when she contracted the poliovirus in 1949. Audrey says polio "took her childhood and her old age," with lifelong impacts on her physically and emotionally. With the COVID-19 virus continuing to plague the globe and news of vaccine hesitancy in the headlines, Audrey found herself reliving those childhood moments, including being the first in her second-grade class to get a vaccine shot. She sat down with her sister Paula, five years her senior, to ask what she remembered from that time. Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more info, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asif Safa worked with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and was able to apply for a special immigrant visa. After a four-year process of securing that visa, Asif and his family arrived in Stamford, Connecticut. The Stamford Interfaith Refugee Settlement Group welcomed Asif and his family, helping them learn English, and find housing and jobs. Asif talks with Amy Ewing, who he met through the Refugee Settlement Group, about his experience and how he and his family have adapted to life in the U.S. Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more info, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria Rosario was number 15 out of 16 children born to her parents in Puerto Rico. After her mother passed away when she was seven, Maria and some of her siblings were relocated to Hartford, Connecticut, to live with their older sister. Maria talks with her daughter Elena about what that experience was like and how she found a community in places like Hartford’s Sacred Heart Church. Elena draws connections between her mother’s experiences and the parent she is today. Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more info, visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelley Nygren and John Baker met over thirty years ago in a faith community in Southington. They became fast friends who recognized a sense of belonging in one another. Shelley and John share their friendship journey, a few laughs, and an Irish blessing in this conversation. "When I met you, I felt like we had known each other a long time." Shelley Nygren "You're someone that I loved, right away." John Baker Credits: StoryCorps Mobile TourConnecticut PublicNiamh This conversation was recorded in 2021. For more info visit StoryCorps CT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.