Rosanne Rosen

Rosanne Rosen, BSSW, '66

“Our conscience wouldn’t let us not do something.”  Rosanne Rosen

A couple of years ago, Rosanne Rosen (BSSW, '66, MA, History '85) and her husband Mark (BA Anthropology, '65) were at a turning point in their life.  After 35 years in the beverage market, Mark sold his company, and Rosanne and he looked forward to a busy and productive “retirement.”  The couple decided to take a volunteer vacation, a trip where they would volunteer and experience a different culture at the same time. 

Their life changed at the end of a trip to India.  As they were heading to the airport to return home, a little girl approached their vehicle to ask for money.  The Rosens were reaching to get money from their wallets when the light turned green and their car took off.  That little girl’s face has stayed with them ever since. 

The Rosens always had been drawn to stories about of kids in developing countries who lack essentials for healthy lives.  As a result, they contacted The GlobalGiving Foundation, an online marketplace whose mission is to connect people who have community and world-changing ideas with donors who can support them.  Global Grandparening, a project under its umbrella, was established, Rosanne and Mark its founders. 

Rosanne was always interested in helping others.  “My dad was a physician who believed in universal healthcare, back in the 1950s and before,” Rosanne says.  She was drawn to social service rather than medicine, and pursued social work at The Ohio State University, earning her degree in 1966.  After graduation she became active in political causes and married Mark, whom she has known since she was 13.  Rosanne’s career has focused on community volunteering, serving in board positions with Heritage Day Health Center, Directions for Youth and Families, and Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center, among others.  She is a published writer, the author of five books and dozens of articles.  She and Mark have two daughters and four grandchildren

Since its establishment in 2007, Global Grandparenting has raised more than $85,000 to support children in Ghana, India, and Nepal who have been rescued from human trafficking and hazardous work conditions.  Donations support rescue, rehabilitation, housing and education.  The Rosens have witnessed approximately 35 rescues in Ghana since founding Global Grandparenting.

The Rosens are invested in all three of the programs, but their hearts belong to a few special children they met in Ghana.  On a trip to Ghana in 2008, the Rosens witnessed the negotiated rescue of five children, one named Quadro.  With funds from Global Grandparenting, Quadro was rescued into a project that includes education of parents, tribal chiefs, and masters about the fundamental wrong of trafficking and teaches better ways to fish without using child labor. 

“Education is what it takes to change these problems,” Rosanne observes.

For more information about Rosanne and her involvement with Global Grandparenting, please visit the website.