There is a quiet courage in living authentically, and few women embody that courage more gracefully than Roxanne L. Manzone. A proud Ocala resident for over four decades, Roxanne’s journey is one of inner strength, steady resilience, and heartfelt conviction. After retiring from a long career in law enforcement, she found a second calling as a Roadway Inspector with the Florida Department of Transportation, navigating not just roads but the winding path toward becoming her true self. She transitioned at the age of 57, embracing womanhood not as a beginning or an end, but as a lifelong truth finally set free. Her story, once featured in The New York Times series “Transgender Today,” is not one of regret but of empowerment, a reminder that it is never too late to live in harmony with your soul. Roxanne’s life is filled with the kind of passions that reveal a tender and authentic heart: from displaying her beloved car at local shows, to volunteering weekly at a soup kitchen, to custom-painting model trains with the kind of care that only someone deeply attentive to beauty and detail can offer.
Her sense of responsibility to the transgender community is deeply rooted in visibility and hope. Through her testimony at legislative hearings and the quiet bravery of everyday conversations, Roxanne has become a local advocate, not for attention or applause, but to show the world that transgender people are neighbors, colleagues, and kind souls who simply want to live and be loved. Though she has faced painful losses, especially within her family, Roxanne remains grounded by strong friendships, supportive co-workers, and her cherished “transition buddy,” Cindy. She believes that being transgender is not about passing, it’s about peace. In a world where trans women are often expected to prove their womanhood, Roxanne stands firmly in her jeans, unbothered by trends or expectations, offering instead a model of self-acceptance, grace, and quiet pride. It is my honor to share this conversation with a woman whose strength speaks softly but echoes deeply.
