In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sat down with Robyn Hasan-Simpson, Executive Director of Women on the Rise GA and co-founder of HOAPE (Helping Others Achieve Power and Equity). From serving 10 years in prison to becoming a leading voice for criminal justice reform, re-entry advocacy, and women’s empowerment, Robyn shares her powerful journey of resilience, faith, and leadership.

She opens up about the emotional toll of incarceration, raising her daughter from behind prison walls, and how she turned her sentence into a mission to uplift women inside and fighting for systemic change outside. From launching a prison newsletter to co-authoring laws that protect survivors of domestic violence, Robyn embodies what it means to rise, lead, and liberate.

This conversation dives deep into the intersection of mass incarceration, motherhood, re-entry, faith, and advocacy, offering both personal truth and actionable hope.

Three Key Takeaways

1. Resilience is Revolutionary

   Robyn’s story proves that even in the most dehumanizing systems, purpose and community can blossom. Her leadership began behind bars—helping women earn GEDs, creating a newsletter, and mentoring others.

2. Motherhood and Incarceration

   Robyn reflects on raising her daughter from a distance, the painful role shift from “mother” to “sister,” and how honesty and open communication kept their bond alive.

3. Advocacy Creates Change

   Today, through Women on the Rise GA and HOAPE, Robyn is reshaping laws, addressing mass incarceration in Georgia, and restoring voting rights for thousands of formerly incarcerated citizens. Her work is a testament that storytelling and advocacy can transform entire communities.

Why Listen

If you care about justice reform, women’s empowerment, faith through struggle, or the healing power of storytelling, this episode will inspire and challenge you. Robyn’s rise from prison bars to national leadership is proof that redemption and resilience are possible—and necessary—for building a more just society.

Find Robyn Hasan-Simpson in these places:

Women on the Rise GA: https://www.womenontherisega.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenontherisega/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-on-the-rise-ga/

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This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years.

You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here.

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If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces:

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Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word.

The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.