Otisha J. Chaplin moved to Woonsocket in 1973 from Newberry South Carolina with her family, when she was only one month old. Her mother received word that her father (Otisha’s grandfather) was terminally ill. Being a worker living and working at the local mills in Woonsocket, he (due to the poor conditions of the workplace) developed cancer in his lungs. Otisha’s mother took her to Woonsocket so that her father could meet his only grandchild, at that time. Unfortunately, they were not able to make it in time and he passed away shortly after they had arrived; they stayed in Woonsocket from that point on.
Otisha chooses to stay in the city for her love of her family as well as her commitment to make a difference in THIS community. She currently works for the US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services as an Employee Development Specialist, while also being a professional trainer, organizational development coach and life coach. In addition Otisha is an entrepreneur where she conducts private consulting for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. The work she is doing and providing for the community of Woonsocket is multifaceted and aids in many ways. For example her training, consulting & coaching alone specifically serve as resources to help individuals, businesses and non-profits reach their full potential.
The journey to her success did not come without challenges as she has had to face and overcome jealousy, complacency, apathy and self doubt. Otisha did not receive much response from the Woonsocket community besides some underlying jealousy (based on history that she is unaware of), which feels to be changing now due to her confidence and belief in a high power leading her to do the work she is doing. Despite the trials and tribulations it is truly the resilience of both her and her ancestors that have come before her, that Otisha identifies as her greatest accomplishment. While she misses her family’s presence and their encouragement to go out and DO, she keeps her connection to home and family alive by embodying the values her relatives passed down to her through leading by example. Belief is what Otisha wants to see change in the Woonsocket community, belief of who we are and of what we can do TOGETHER & more intentionally for ALL of Woonsocket.