Heather Rodgers Oral History Interview

In her interview, Heather Rodgers begins by discussing her early life in Klamath Falls, Oregon with her two siblings and parents. She talks about growing up in Klamath Falls and eventually moving to Corvallis, Oregon when she was in seventh grade for her father's schooling in Veterinary Medicine. In reflecting on this period, she talks about her life in Corvallis - her "boomerang town" - and how she loves the culture and community that Corvallis offers.

The session then transitions into Heather's college years, first at Linn Benton Community College and then later Oregon State University. Rodgers describes how she first became interested in Public Health and the influential professor that inspired her. She also talks about her trips abroad to various countries where she realized the need for more education on public health, an experience that sparked a desire to work abroad in promoting disease prevention.

After graduating from college, Rodgers moved to Lakeview, Oregon to be with her mother and sister after her father had passed away from cancer. She discusses an internship that she received through Oregon State working as a Physical Therapy Aide, and the beginnings of her work in administration for a medical clinic. Heather notes that these experiences taught her that working in the medical field was not how she wished to use her degree.

The interview then shifts to Rodgers' move back to Corvallis and her time studying in a ministry program. After graduating from this curriculum, Rodgers was hired as the cook for Charis, a Christian girls' home run by her church. Rodgers talks about her fourteen years working at Charis, first as the cook and now as the director. She discusses what Charis means to her and the principles that Charis is founded on. She also talks about her desire to build the women who live in Charis as future leaders.