Rhoda (Wasserman) Warren

Warren, Rhoda, 95 of Boca Raton, FL and Lee, Massachusetts, passed peacefully on Thursday, December 5, 2024 in Lenox, Massachusetts.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews…..Judy Jutcovich, Rita Quint, Amy Wasserman, and Joel Wasserman, children of her late sister, Louise and brother, David.

Rhoda was “A Force to be Reckoned With!”  Rhoda lived her life HER way.  Born in Malden, Massachusetts, daughter of Sarah and Joseph Wasserman, local grocery store/soda fountain-owners…..of course, she always gave free ice cream and candy to her friends!   Rhoda had a strong desire for success and she was willing to work long and hard to get what she wanted.  Following twelve years of enjoying the excitement of  the “Manhattan of the 50’s”…..Rhoda was ready to return to Boston and get to work.   Fate stepped in and an Ad in The Boston Globe became a catalyst leading Rhoda toward her life long commitment to making a difference in and improving as many people’s lives as she could.  Rhoda was a pioneer in her profession as a personnel recruiter, establishing herself as a leading member of the  MAPC and NAPC, both state level and national level organizations within the recruitment industry.

Rhoda was the first woman to become a CPC, certified personnel consultant, which required oral and written testing on both a state and national level.  Rhoda was also the first woman to establish a minority…..woman owned and run recruitment firm, in the state of Massachusetts.

Along with her business partner, Bill Consalvo, Rhoda founded Emerson Personnel, Inc, in 1976.

Emerson, Inc. grew and thrived from one office in Government Center, Boston, to five offices including a location in California.  Throughout her long and celebrated career, Rhoda coupled her business savvy with her passion for empowering women and she succeeded in leading many women into the six figure income bracket…..long before its time!

In 1994, Rhoda and Anne Penny,  then VP of Operations,  relocated the entire business to Boca Raton, FL and became partners (as well as continuing to be life long friends) with the focus of recruiting healthcare professionals nationally.

Rhoda retired shortly thereafter and the business continued until 2018.

Rhoda was also known for her philanthropic  affiliation with Home Safe, Alzheimer’s Association,  Jewish Guild for the Blind, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Angels of Charity, and she remained a board member of the Florence Fuller Child Development Center for 11 years.  Emerson, Inc. also sponsored numerous charity events supporting The Jimmy Fund and  Breast Cancer Awareness.

Rhoda Warren was a real-life “Auntie Mame!”  Nothing gave her more pleasure than showing people what they were capable of achieving…..if she believed in you…..she made sure you succeeded.  She was tenacious, charming, stylish, and had a quick wit, a generous heart,  and sense of humor that endeared her to so many people throughout the years.  When asked what she wanted to be remembered for, Rhoda replied “Doing something good to help someone else.”

Rhoda Warren touched many lives and made a profound difference while she was with us.

She will be greatly missed.

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