Joni Cusack Rogers: An Influential Role Model

Joni Cusack Rogers was born in Florence, South Carolina on March 24, 1955. Joni is the oldest of five siblings. Being the oldest, she learned to be strong. The quiet child had to learn to be outspoken and a leader. She was always a helper and a person you could count on then and now. Joni grew up in Scranton, South Carolina on a farm. She learned from a very young age that it is always a good thing to help someone. Joni’s father was a city police officer in Lake City, South Carolina. He was a very helpful man. He loved helping the community and Joni took after him. She helped her mother by looking after her younger siblings. In doing this, Joni grew up a lot. She had to be a role model for her younger brother and sisters. Joni was always there to listen and give advice about their struggles growing up.
Joni married young and started a family of her own. She married Robert Bailey at the age of 16. They had a son named Bert Bailey. Although Joni struggled, it made her stronger in the end. She put herself through college, while working three jobs and raising her son. Joni and Robert eventually divorced. She bought her own house and land. This

She always put her children before herself in everything. She was always exhausted but she was always there for her children. Joni made sure that they had what they needed for school, helped with the homework and study time. When the youngest of the children were in school, Joni got a job working a night. This made things a lot harder for her. Bobby worked during the day and she worked at night. They only say each other in passing. Joni did all of this for her children. She wanted them to have everything that she did not growing up. After a couple of years of Joni working nights, she finally quit. Bobby told her that she needed to relax and enjoy the time at home with the children. He was scared she was running herself