Linda Dennis
“A person here in the US can experience poverty by not knowing, not having the resources, and not having the support network they need. The more you spread news about justice, either via word of mouth, social media, or text messaging, the more people know how to use their power. Getting the word out about justice is incredibly important.”
In the bustling realm of Prudential Financial's Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs department, Linda Dennis, an executive assistant with an impressive 27-year tenure, stands out as a beacon of giving back through pro bono and community service. Recognizing the incredible work Linda does ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice celebrates and cheerleads her as our December 2023 Volunteer of the Month.
Linda's journey at Prudential has been marked by a love for her diverse team and an eagerness to broaden her professional horizons. Linda thrives on the unpredictability life throws her way, be it fire drills, constant changes keeping her on her toes, or interfacing with business partners and adapting to their evolving schedules. Linda’s regular “Business as Usual (BAU)” can change in the blink of an eye, but it keeps things exciting and adds a spark to her day (Linda remarked “I love change.”). Embracing change is not just a professional preference for Linda; it's a philosophy she extends to her personal life, where something as simple as rearranging furniture can be akin to breathing new life into the familiar.
Linda’s drive for growth is evident not only in her nearly three decades at Prudential, but also in her academic achievements: Linda earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Rutgers University-Newark, an education that has made her a keen observer. Beyond her efforts at Prudential, Linda is a passionate volunteer. At VLJ, Linda is active with VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program (DRLP) and ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program, and she enjoys meeting new people while helping neighbors access justice. Even more, volunteering with VLJ’s DRLP has given Linda an enriched perspective:
“We all have some sort of debt, and not only am I helping a client, I am also helping myself. Some clients may not be in the same situation as others, but if you take a step at wondering how someone got into debt, it comes back to life’s changes. You never know when your season of having a job is up, when your season of having a loved one changes, and someone has to know where and how to obtain help. When you’re in the debt relief legal clinic, it is about life’s changes and how we can help those navigating change.”
Linda’s compassion for those facing insurmountable debt takes a cue from her two children, one an attorney and the other an engineer in the defense industry. Linda’s children have made her proud in their pursuits, but to reach their success, they had to take on large amounts of student loan debt. Linda looks at student loan debt as “Owning a mansion you cannot live in.”
Since Linda began volunteering with VLJ in 2021 (thanks to her mentor and a fellow VLJ volunteer, Nydia Benders), she has generously donated nearly 50 hours of her time supporting veterans, families in Newark’s South Ward, and neighbors seeking a fresh financial start and second chance. Linda is also generous with her time serving as a member of the Eastern Star, seeing her contribute to initiatives like book bags for back-to-school and supporting food pantries during the holiday season. In keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving, seniors from Union Township and Vauxhall were given Thanksgiving baskets prepared by Linda and fellow Eastern Stars. Even more, Linda helps with Eastern Star’s food pantry that provides food to over 200 families every month, and their community garden harvests fresh vegetables throughout the spring and summer for families in the community. Living the “teamwork makes the dream work” mindset, Linda also volunteers as part of Prudential’s local efforts in Newark, and she recently cleaned up Branch Brook Park with her Prudential colleagues.
For Linda, ensuring access to justice for those experiencing poverty means breaking down barriers to knowledge and resources. Poverty, in her eyes, isn't limited to third-world countries; it exists close to home: “A person here in the US can experience poverty by not knowing, not having the resources, and not having the support network they need. The more you spread news about justice, either via word of mouth, social media, or text messaging, the more people know how to use their power. Getting the word out about justice is incredibly important.”
With her contagious passion for change and justice, Linda embodies the spirit of pro bono, and we are immensely grateful to AND for her. To Linda, our December 2023 Volunteer of the Month, thank you!
Connect with Linda on LinkedIn