Honoring Our History

Rosario (Roe) Roberts

Rosario Roberts, aka “Roe”, was born to Willy and Marion Roberts in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 12, 1948. He was very proud of his Creole heritage and loved family history. He was the oldest of five children, and the family moved to California when Roe was a small child. He had two children before meeting and marrying Sharon, who had three children, which brought their number of children to five. Sharon and Roe were married for 38 years before his passing in 2021.

In the early 1990’s, a neighbor experiencing domestic violence fled to the Roberts’s house. After learning there were no domestic violence services in Tehama County, Roe Roberts contacted Shasta County for their partnership in bringing domestic violence services to Tehama County. Subsequently, Roe became the first Executive Director of Empower Tehama, formerly Alternatives to Violence (ATV), and served in that capacity for nearly ten years before retiring in 2001.

The early years at ATV were challenging due to a lack of funding. Roe, along with others, volunteered their time. Previously a machinist, Roe had sustained a work-related injury. With no formal education upon starting ATV, he attended trainings in Oakland and San Francisco to gain knowledge about domestic violence and how to best support victims. During these trainings, he learned the importance of establishing a safe and confidential shelter. Initially, Roe called upon community members who were willing to help by providing temporary refuge for victims. As funding became available, it was possible to rent community houses as “safe houses” for victims. Roe also recognized the need for a Batterer’s Intervention Program and decided to incorporate it into ATV’s services. After retiring from ATV, Roe would travel to Chico to assist with the facilitation of an anger management program.

Roe was known for his unconditional love – if you were a friend, you were a friend forever. Like the others honored on this page, his passion for the work caused him to push for change; he saw a need in his community and worked tirelessly to meet it.

Joy Wright

Joy Wright, a founding board member of Empower Tehama—previously Alternatives to Violence (ATV)—played a pivotal role during the organization’s early days when funding was scarce for supporting survivors of domestic violence. On numerous occasions, Joy, along with fellow board members, would offer their homes as a sanctuary for those escaping abuse. Her vivaciousness, keen intellect, and spitfire personality often brightened the lives of those she assisted. Throughout her life, Joy assumed various roles: she was a devoted wife and mother, a skilled typist, a Sheriff’s Deputy, a mental health case worker, and an extraordinary volunteer.

Joy’s guiding principle was, “We are not placed in this world to see through each other, but rather to see each other through,” a maxim she embodied throughout her life. In the early 1950s, she broke new ground as the first female officer at the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Her career path later led her to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital and Shasta College’s Tehama Campus, where she worked until nearly the age of 90. Moreover, Joy was a dedicated member of Soroptimist International of Red Bluff for many years and was honored as Senior Citizen of the Year in 2016.

Throughout her life, Joy adhered to the principle of proactive kindness: if she recognized a need, she would address it herself rather than waiting for others to take action. This approach inspired her involvement in numerous initiatives, such as Recycle the Warmth, volunteering at the PATH Shelter, assisting with the Presbyterian Church’s annual Thanksgiving dinner, among others. To those who knew her, Joy will always be remembered as a paragon of selflessness, consistently prioritizing the well-being of others above her own.

Linda J. Lucas

Linda J. Lucas is among the most committed supporters of Empower Tehama. A Californian by birth, she has devoted the majority of her adult life to public service, with a special emphasis on issues affecting women and children. Throughout her career, she has been associated with organizations such as Soroptimist International, the Tehama County Peace Officers Association, the Tehama County Interagency Committee, and Business and Professional Women. Presently, she serves as the Chair of the Juvenile Justice Commission.

Linda’s ambitions for a broader impact began at the age of 12, when she envisioned herself working at a foreign embassy and exploring the globe. She started her higher education at Bakersfield Community College and then transferred to San Diego State (currently known as San Diego State University), where she obtained a degree in political science with a minor in history. A tradition of public service is a hallmark of her family; her mother was employed by the Kern County Council and later served in the District Attorney’s office.

Linda’s initial position post-college was with the Welfare Department in Kern County, where she assisted individuals with physical and mental health challenges reintegrate with their families after extended institutional stays. At the young age of 22, she found the job immensely stressful due to a heavy caseload. Subsequently, Linda joined the Kern County Probation Department. There, she engaged in a distinctive program sponsored by Cal State Bakersfield, focusing on the rehabilitation of delinquent and dependent children by addressing their various needs, including tutoring and transportation, to facilitate their successful reintegration into society.

In the late 1960s, she wed and relocated to Tehama County in the early 1970s, enabling her husband, Bob, to take up the role of Chief Probation Officer. She started as a volunteer at the local library, cataloging newspaper articles onto note cards. Within a year, she pivoted to a career as a children’s and reference librarian. After several years at the library, she moved to Social Services, where she supported dependent children and their families. In 1995, she joined Tehama County Victim Witness and retired as the coordinator after a dedicated fifteen-year tenure.

Following her retirement, Linda immersed herself in volunteer work for Empower Tehama (formerly known as Alternatives to Violence). Her experience at Victim Witness had equipped her with the skills to accompany clients to court, a setting where she would eventually connect with Empower Tehama’s legal advocates. Recognizing her aptitude, it was agreed that Linda would be well-suited to support domestic violence survivors in court. She has been fulfilling this role with dedication for more than a decade.

In 2015, Linda became a member of Empower Tehama’s Board of Directors and additionally serves on the Public Health Advisory Board. Known for her staunch advocacy for victims, her legendary passion for the community, and her commitment to essential causes, she continues to make a significant impact in Tehama County.

Linda Dickerson

Linda Dickerson began her career in the field of Domestic Violence as a Volunteer Advocate at the Human Response Network in Weaverville, California, during the 1990s. She felt a strong conviction that she had discovered her true calling. In the early 2000s, she joined One Safe Place (formerly known as Women’s Refuge) in Redding, California. Starting as an Advocate, Linda was eventually promoted to the role of Associate Director. y 2012, she had taken on the position of Associate Director at Empower Tehama (previously Alternatives to Violence). During her inaugural year with Empower Tehama, she introduced the ‘Candlelight Walk’ to the community, a significant event aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence issues.

Linda possesses a tremendous heart for survivors and their children, who are also affected by domestic violence. To guarantee that our clients’ children experienced a joyful Christmas, she initiated an annual Toy Drive, allowing parents to ‘shop’ for their children’s gifts. Her husband, Jim, joined as a volunteer and contributed significantly to both the Candlelight Walk and the Toy Drive.

Linda was a natural-born teacher who, over the years, helped numerous individuals she trained to understand the experiences of domestic violence survivors. Despite the many highs and lows in the field of Domestic Violence, Linda consistently remained calm and solution-focused, even in the midst of complex situations. Her extensive knowledge and wisdom attracted others to seek her support and guidance.

During Linda’s tenure at Empower Tehama, our Transitional Housing program was successfully established. She played a pivotal role in formulating the policies and procedures for both our Transitional Housing and Emergency Housing programs.

Linda dedicated seven years as the Associate Director of Empower Tehama. She retired in 2019 at the age of 74 and currently resides in Redding, California. Those acquainted with her can still feel her influence as we persist in our efforts to end domestic violence in Tehama County.