The Caring Ability of Neighbors -- Reclaiming a Forgotten Resource | Susan Odgers | TEDxTraverseCity

"The current challenges in our communities won't be met by waiting for money and labor. There is another way; something more. I'll give you a hint. It's a generally unseen resource we all have in abundance." Susan Odgers urges her audience to get to know their neighbors, to connect, to invite each other to events, and asks: how will you reclaim your forgotten resource?

My passion is helping people be of value to themselves and their communities through love, justice, strong relationships, resourcefulness, character, imagining and hard work.

As the eldest of five, my siblings would tell you that I’ve always taught, created and fought for others.

Currently, I’m in my 29th year of teaching psychology at NMC, tenth year as a TC Record Eagle columnist and fourth decade as a wheelchair user.

One of my great honors was being named the 2010 Sara Hardy Humanitarian of the Year by the TC Human Rights Commission. Since 2015, I’ve served as a HRC commissioner.

Supporters as well as those challenged by me, have said I’m a “fire starter”, “someone with big character”, “speaker of truth to power”, “trail blazer” and “that woman”.

A CEO of one of the many boards I sit on, once remarked “I’d rather hear the tough questions from Susan before I hear them from someone less caring on the outside.”

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx