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I was introduced to a podcaster, Victoria Lemos, who hosts the podcast "Archive Atlanta" and wanted to tell "The Tami Roche Story."
"They say you can't fight City Hall. I did."
My name is Tami Roche.
I am nearly 80 years old, and I have spent a lifetime surviving, performing, and refusing to give up.
Many people know me from the world of burlesque. I toured with Ann Corio's celebrated production, This Was Burlesque, which eventually made its way to Broadway and was later recorded and broadcast on HBO. I was fortunate to be part of a unique chapter of entertainment history that is rapidly disappearing.
But the stage is only part of my story.
Behind the costumes and curtain calls were battles that few people ever saw. Throughout my life I faced challenges that tested my strength, my determination, and my ability to survive. I stood up to powerful interests, fought for myself when others thought I should simply give up, and learned first-hand that sometimes ordinary people must stand their ground.
Today I am facing a different challenge.
Like many people living on fixed income, I have experienced financial hardship and have accumulated debt simply trying to stay afloat. In addition, I am navigating health challenges that come with age while working to preserve the story of my life that I believe deserves to be told.
My greatest goal is to complete my memoir:
A Single Rose Amongst the Thorns.
This book will tell the story of my life, my career, the obstacles I faced, and the battles I fought to survive. It is a story about resilience, perseverance, and what happens when someone refuses to quit.
I am asking for your help for two reasons:
- To help relieve the financial burden that has accumulated over time.
- To help provide the resources needed to complete and publish my memoir before this history is lost.
Every donation, regardless of size , helps move this project forward.
And if you are unable to donate, sharing this campaign may help it reach someone who remembers the golden age of burlesque, values preserving history, or simply believes that stories like this deserve to be told.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
With gratitude,
Tami Roche
Organizer