ETSU lecturer Deidra Rogers spoke at the Women on Wednesdays event Sept. 2.
Her talk circulated around Brenè Brown’s book “Braving the Wilderness”.
“I was glad that it had the level of participation from the school as well as from outside sources coming in,” said Rogers. “So to me that was a good sign that people needed to hear the message and wanted to learn something from it.”
During the event, Rogers spoke about courage, vulnerability, freedom and overcoming obstacles.
“In itself it was also an example of me to brave my wilderness and be vulnerable with sharing my own story,” Rogers said. “With life and challenges and of some of the things I’ve had to experience in life and be vulnerable with an audience and display that to everybody.”
Rogers is originally from South Carolina and was brought to Knoxville, Tennessee during her time in AmeriCorps.
“My background revolves heavily around the non-profit world,” said Rogers. “I’ve worked with adults with mental and physical disabilities at an adult day program, but my background resides in civic engagement. I did a year of service with AmeriCorps as a VISTA; a volunteer in service to America.”
Rogers community work extends to underrepresented and marginalized populations. She has created innovative programs that can connect individuals that need assistance with able-bodied people.
“My great grandmother, she played a lot in my life with the example she set of being of service to others,” said Rogers. “She showed me how to be of service, but I also knew how to be of service regardless, whether it was to draw attention but still provide something to people, be a benefit and be good to people. Through her leadership and through her example of the grandmother it gave me insight about being with people in vulnerable situations.”
Rogers recalled multiple times where she witnessed others during their most vulnerable hours. Through her experience volunteering in the community to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, she learned how to connect with people and assist them in their time of need.
“It had its challenges, because you really learn how grateful and thankful you should be,” Rogers said.
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