TITLE: First/Birth Mothers

DESCRIPTION

This event was held May 2023 and features birth/first parents sharing their lived experiences. Because adoptees often experience adoption in isolation from others in the adoption constellation, we may not be aware that our birth/first parents are complex people also living with the impact that adoption has on their lives. In this panel we might discuss:

• What do you want adoptees to know about your experience as a birth/first parent?

• Why is it important to be in community with other members of the adoption constellation?

• What does it mean to be a critical thinker about adoption as a birth/first parent?

• What does healing/repair look like in the birth/first parent community?

PANELISTS

Courtney Tierra (she/her) is an educator, servant leader, writer, and self-proclaimed ice cream connoisseur. She holds a Master's in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, both obtained from the University of West Georgia. Courtney Tierra lives in Atlanta and for her day job, she is the Education Director at a local nonprofit organization. She is a proud birthmom and loves to share her story to strangers and loved ones alike. Courtney Tierra is an award-winning storyteller, best selling children’s book author, has multiple nonfiction stories published, is the owner of a ridiculous giggle, and did she mention her adoration of ice cream? Courtney Tierra is thrilled to be asked to be on this panel as she loves to learn and grow from others involved in the adoption constellation.

Shelley Sage (she/her) relinquished her daughter in an open adoption arranged by a private attorney in 2000. Theirs had seemed to be a textbook success, but following her daughter graduating with honors from the University of Oregon, she received a mental health diagnosis that has been followed by limited contact between the families. To Shelley it feels like her nightmares have come true. Shelley wants to be on this panel to share with others how her adoption story has changed overtime, as have her feelings about adoption.

Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard (she/her) is a birth mom in an open adoption, and the daughter and granddaughter of adoptees. She is the Director of Advocacy and Policy for Ethical Family Building, a nonprofit focused on promoting transparency, ethics, and accountability in domestic infant adoption. Kelsey is the co-host of Twisted Sisterhood Podcast, and the co-author of Adoption Unfiltered, to be released December 2023. Kelsey has a BA from South Dakota State University and is currently pursuing a Master's. She resides in Northern California with her husband and daughter. Kelsey is excited to be on this panel to offer the unique perspective of a birth parent who was also raised by a closed-adoption-era adoptee, as she uses this insight in her own open adoption and career.

Pearl Chen (she/her/hers), MSW, is a native of San Francisco and is a birth/first mother. She has been navigating a transracial, open adoption in all its forms with her daughter and daughter’s adoptive family for 16 years. Pearl has also been involved with MPower Alliance, a nonprofit that serves birth/first parents, since 2009. In her spare time, Pearl volunteers at LGBTQ+ community events, hosts panels at comic conventions, and enjoys spending time with her partner Paulo and their dachshund Bituin. Pearl is excited to offer a unique personal and professional birthparent voice to the panel and looking forward to meeting other members of the adoption community!