Interview with Writer/ Singer Gloria Frankson

This New Year’s I got the pleasure of getting to know my friend Gloria better. Aside from a killer voice and a wicked sense of humor. She’s got a fascinating story which I would like to share with you. First of all, Gloria is a clinical laboratory assistant. She describes her job in three words: “rewarding, demanding and challenging” When she’s not working she’s either reading or crafting (“I love making stuff with my hands”) She even is working on making soap.

As for her job, “My job kind of found me. After grad school, I struggled to find a job, so I started as a lab assistant in the Chemistry department. A technologist job opened up in the HLA lab, and I applied! HLA is histocompatibility, the testing that happens for people in need of an organ transplant. We do the tests to match them with organ donors and get them off of the transplant waiting lists. It’s amazing to know that we’re able to help our patients get life-saving organs”

Gloria’s background is impressive. She didn’t come from an affluent family so she put herself through college. She worked two jobs while she was in grad full time. “I’ve had a lot of weeks where my grocery budget was $10! But, it taught me that I’m resilient and I can live through any situation. It’s gotten better, and I have no regrets. I’ve also dealt with depression and anxiety my whole life, which has been a challenge”

Gloria makes self-care a priority saying she has ““indoor cat” days where she does pretty much nothing besides decrompressing. . "But, it’s also important for me to get out and have a little fun, so I’ll go to karaoke night with friends on occasion” (and trust me she can sing).

She has two tattoos, one on each arm. I asked her about them on New Year’s Eve. “On my right arm, I have a killer bee with a crown. My husband calls me Bee, and when I was growing up my mom called me a bumblebee because I loved to sing, but I have asthma. So, like a bumblebee is too big to fly, I shouldn’t be able to sing! My other tattoo is a phrase by singer songwriter Stephen Kellogg, in his handwriting. It says “All love; future’s bright” It’s a semicolon tattoo, but I also really resonated with the phrase and I like to be reminded that I have a whole future ahead of me”

Her advice for little girls everywhere is “You don’t have to be like anyone else. Clothes, scents, and makeup are for everyone to use, regardless if it’s “for boys” or “for girls.” And you can do anything you want to do, especially if it seems hard.” As for her, her goal for 2024 is to “stunt on these hoes”

What is the most challenging thing about being an adult/ She says bills and keeping in touch with friends. Now that she’s not in school, she doesn’t see them everyday. “I’ll admit that I’m horrible at keeping in touch with people now that I’m a grown up” But being an adult has some benefits too, which she says are “Jalapeño margaritas and the ability to keep Halloween decorations out as everyday decorations in my home”