Belleville High School

Class of 1969

Being Class Historian for the Belleville High School Class of 1969 launched Trudy’s passion for history. While at BHS, Trudy was in many clubs, but was most proud to be a member of the National Honor Society. She was the recipient of the Belleville Professional Women’s Club Scholarship Program. Trudy applied that scholarship to Cleary College, and graduated with honors with a degree in Business Administration.

Trudy moved to Washington D.C., in 1976 and started her career at the White House working for First Lady Betty Ford. She continued working in the Office of the First Lady for First Lady Rosalyn Carter, First Lady Nancy Reagan, and First Lady Barbara Bush. Trudy switched to the Office of Presidential Correspondence for President George Herbert Walker Bush, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, and President Donald Trump. While working for Presidential Correspondence Trudy was detailed to the Office of the Staff Secretary, the Office of Records Management, Oval Office Operations, and the Office of the Executive Clerk. Trudy said one of her favorite jobs at the White House was editing and proofreading documents such as Executive Orders, Proclamations, The State of the Union Address, and other legal documents that went to the Oval Office for Presidential signature. Her expertise on grammar earned her the nickname, “comma queen”.

For the past 16 years Trudy has sponsored a book club called, “The Dragon Riders”. It is a book club for young adults who have difficulty reading. The disabilities of the members range from cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, and muscular dystrophy. Trudy is especially proud of their passion for reading and zest for life.

Trudy is an adult leader and merit badge counselor with Boy Scout Troop 150. Her favorite merit badges are Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, and teaching the scouts how to cook during their camping trips.

Trudy also enjoyed coaching Special Olympic Basketball for the JEB Stuart High School team. Twice the team reached the State Level.

Following September 11, 2001, Trudy became involved in the D.C. branch of Wounded Warriors. There are many ways to help our Wounded Warriors and all of our veterans. Always thank them for their service, and remember the motto of Wounded Warriors -- “The greatest casualty is being forgotten.”

Since her retirement from the White House Trudy has been busy writing a book about Presidential Libraries. There is a Presidential Library 30 minutes from Belleville!

She is married to Architect Paul Roddick. They have three children. Elizabeth, Colin, and Ian. They also have two grandchildren, Kaylee and Benjamin—and one more on the way!