Obama pens note to inmate he granted clemency who made dean’s list: ‘I’m so proud of you’

Former President Obama penned a handwritten note to a former prisoner he granted clemency to in 2016, saying he was “so proud” of her for making the honor roll in college.

Danielle Metz said she wanted to let Obama know about her academic achievements during an interview with The Hechinger Report published by USA Today on Monday.

“You don’t know what you did for me. I’m finally coming into my own. I made the honor roll,” she said she wanted to tell Obama.{mosads}

It appears that the former commander in chief came across the article and reached out to the woman who was once serving three life sentences plus an additional 20 years for her role in her husband’s cocaine distribution ring, USA Today reported Thursday.

“I am so proud of you, and am confident that your example will have a positive impact for others who are looking for a second chance,” Obama wrote to Metz. “Tell your children I say hello, and know that I’m rooting for all of you.”

Obama sends letter to prisoner he freed, who made the dean’s list: ‘I am so proud of you’ President Obama granted clemency to Danielle Metz in 2016. After she made the dean’s list in college, she wished she could thank him. Now, she has.        https://t.co/JNPFTjsvvs #USRC pic.twitter.com/mUewBo2BFj

— U.S. Reality Check (@USRealityCheck) July 12, 2019

Metz was arrested in 1993 after delivering packages to Houston under her husband’s orders.

She received the steep sentence despite never being found in possession of any drugs and having never been implicated in any violence.

Obama, who repeatedly denounced long sentencing for nonviolent drug offenders and granted clemency more times than any of the previous 10 presidents, granted her clemency in 2016 after 23 years in prison.

At the age of 50, Metz entered Southern University in New Orleans, studying to become a social worker. She made the dean’s list with a 3.75 grade point average.