Rhonda L. Cowan

Rhonda is a 60-year-old black, transgender female. She was born in small town Monticello, Kentucky, and raised by her loving aunt.
Growing up in small-town Kentucky was very challenging for a young, slowly transitioning, transgender girl. Growing up she was a very feminine acting young boy and, consequently, was often harassed. As a result, throughout the years of transitioning into a woman and living on her own, she found herself becoming enveloped in many situations which put her at high risk for violence, health risks, and ultimately substance abuse.

Addiction consumed over thirty years of Rhonda’s life, but in 2014 she entered a stable period of recovery and “turned her life over to a power greater than herself.” Since then she has found herself progressing and unifying her career and passion for the community one step at a time.

Rhonda is an HIV/AIDS Prevention Specialist for Volunteers of America Mid-States HIV Services where she specializes in engaging the People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) population. This is where Rhonda’s passion unifies and blossoms. After living the life of addiction for so long, Rhonda can attest first hand to the risks and consequences of HIV while in active addiction. She teaches the importance of education and HIV and Hepatitis C testing for those currently in active addiction on a daily basis.

“I am a recovering Transwoman. I am not ashamed of my past. My past has made me into who I am today.”