Tamara Rose Roske’s story begins with a heartbreaking series of events. She was abandoned by her mother as a young child and abused by a relative who was supposed to be caring for her. Along the way, she was introduced to marijuana by her father at the age of six. 

 

As a teen, she was on her own, coping with poverty, exploitation, and illegal activities to survive.

 

But when Tamara was 19, an experience at a Native American sweat lodge transformed her, allowing her to find purpose, embrace forgiveness, and begin healing from her past.

 

Ironically, the father who had been such an unstable presence throughout Tamara’s childhood, moving the family from place to place and leaving her with her abusive relative at different points, would ultimately be the one who led her to the experience that changed the course of her life.

 

What’s remarkable about Tamara’s story is how she rose from her difficult beginning and, after the sweat lodge moment, took action to help children protect the environment. She founded Earth Guardians, now an international environmental nonprofit that equips youth with the resources and training needed to combat climate change.

 

What’s even more remarkable is the person Tamara is today. I feel fortunate to have met her and experienced her positivity, kindness, compassion, creativity, and drive to improve the world. Her story is a must-read for anyone looking for inspiration.

 

–Lisa Cohn, co-author at BashAndLucyBooks.com