Irene Rose grew up on a farm in the Midwest along with twelve siblings, including her identical twin Arlene. She continued the large-family tradition by having six children of her own.

Twenty years after finishing high school, she started college, and with her kids cheering her on, she graduated 10 years later from the University of Illinois.

Irene has worked as a VISTA volunteer and a librarian. She is excited and scared about sharing her stories in Encore.