Norton Remembers Martha Wright, Leader in Inmate Rights to Call Home

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement today on the passing of Martha Wright, the District of Columbia grandmother who successfully petitioned the Federal Communications Commission FCC to change inmate calling services, which had allowed phone companies to charge prison inmates exorbitant phone rates to call their friends and loved ones:

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Martha Wright, who leaves an extraordinary legacy that affects millions of families today and many more to come. Despite the constant rebuffs, Ms. Wright fought for 10 years until many others joined her, including the Congressional Black Caucus Working Group on Prison Telecomm Reform, which I was privileged to lead and allowed me to get to know Ms. Wright and her grandson. Because of her work, thousands of families can afford to stay connected to loved ones. Her love for her imprisoned grandson pushed her to fight for many others like him. Her work will continue to inspire Americans to carry on her activism and refuse to accept institutional injustice."