Finding My Purpose in Emergency Management with the Resilient Queens Collective: From Disaster to Recovery
- Jessica Cooper
- Sep 9, 2024
- 3 min read
Hello Queens!!!
I never set out to build a career in emergency management. Truth be told, I stumbled into it by accident in 2005, during the chaotic aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Like so many others from Southern Louisiana, I was a victim, forced to evacuate my home. But as I stood in line for assistance at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, LA, something inside me shifted. Instead of simply accepting aid, I felt compelled to help those around me. That moment of clarity led me to a temporary agency, which offered me a case management job. Before I knew it, that temporary position turned into a direct hire role. I had no idea what emergency management, disaster recovery, or disaster response truly involved, but I dove headfirst into the work. And to my surprise, I loved it. There was something incredibly fulfilling about helping my community rebuild.
In true emergency management fashion, the work eventually phased out, and I found myself, once again, searching for a new opportunity. After being laid off from a state position in Baton Rouge, LA, I received a call asking if I'd like to interview for an executive administration role on a response project. What stood out to me was the fact that they were specifically looking for a Black woman for the position. My initial reaction was to clutch my pearls. Why the specification? But my curiosity got the best of me. I went for the interview, and before I knew it, I was meeting the project executives. To my surprise, I was the only Black woman in the room. During the conversation, a comment was made that didn’t sit right with me. Not one to mince words, I spoke up. They liked my style, and just like that, my emergency management career was truly launched.
Since then, I’ve had the honor of leading teams and working on projects that cover response, recovery, data/software, individual assistance, and public assistance. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There's something incredibly heartwarming about seeing the impact of the work we do in emergency management. The fulfillment it brings is second to none.
But even with all the rewards of my career, there’s a glaring issue I can’t ignore: Where are the Black women in resilience and emergency management? The industry is a sea of faces that rarely look like mine. That’s why, when I discovered the Resilient Queens Collective, it felt like finding my tribe. Women who look like me, lead like me, and share similar challenges and triumphs. Reading the blogs and seeing the members was like a breath of fresh air—I knew immediately I had to be a part of this community.
Attending my first seminar with the Resilient Queens Collective was a game-changer. Hearing my sisters share their stories and the obstacles they’d overcome felt like looking into a mirror. It was a powerful reminder that I’m not alone in this journey. And that realization gave me the confidence to fully embrace my authentic self. The Resilient Queens Collective isn’t just about networking; it’s about breaking down barriers, smashing stereotypes, and lifting each other up. It’s about adjusting your crown without competing for a seat at the table. And I am HERE. FOR. IT.
I’m beyond excited to deepen my understanding of the resilience industry through the perspective of a Black woman. I’m eager to lift up other Resilient Queens, to create space for us in this male-dominated field. The networking opportunities are exciting, but more than that, I’m hungry for mentorship, for accountability, and for a community that truly understands the unique challenges we face. Bring on the growth, the challenges, and the triumphs. I’m ready to rise with my fellow Resilient Queens.
RQC Guest Blogger
Jessica Cooper
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