PowerfulWomxn Who Are Changing The World: Penny Rivera-Roche

An Interview with Natalie Ruiz

As part of my series about “Powerful Womxn Who Are Changing The World”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Penny Rivera-Roche, a retiree who is a self-published children’s book author and illustrator who also invests her time in organizations that help women and children.

Penny proves in her approach to life that there is no finish line on learning, achievement, self-improvement, or one’s ability to give back.

Thank you so much for taking the time to catch up with me! I’ve been so inspired by you. Can you tell me more about you and the work you do?

I am currently retired and loving volunteering with organizations that empower women and children. I currently volunteer for “Dress for Success” as a mentor for women to help them find jobs by teaching them the skills necessary. I also donate to “Together We Rise” an org dedicated to helping foster children. I would like to think that volunteering is my new career. I have had to reinvent myself and my career many times, hoping that this is my last.

What do you love about it?

I have had many people help me throughout my career, I grew up in an underprivileged neighborhood and went to private school with scholarships. As…