The ' American Adoption Congress (AAC) was created in the late 1970s as an umbrella organization by the search and support, adoption reform groups sprouting up across the United States, Canada and around the world. Initiated by Orphan Voyage founder, Jean Paton, people representing many groups gathered in regions around the US and began planning the incorporation. The first AAC Conference was held in Washington, DC in May 1979.[1] The second was in Anaheim, CA in 1980, and the third at the TWA Training facility outside Kansas City in 1981, where it was reincorporated and gained 501(c)3 tax exempt status.[2] Conferences have been held around the United States annually ever since.

The American Adoption Congress is composed of individuals, families, and organizations committed to adoption reform. They represent persons whose lives are touched by adoption or other loss of family continuity. AAC promotes honesty, openness, and respect for family connections in adoption, foster care, and assisted reproduction. They provide education to members and professional communities about the lifelong process of adoption. AAC also advocates legislation that will grant every individual access to information about his or her family and heritage.[3]

Conference History

YearDatesLocationThemeKeynotes
2016March 30 - Apr 3Denver, COTrailblazing Change: Moving Mountains Together in Adoption

Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao
Amanda Transue-Woolston
Dr. Amanda Baden
Delores Teller
Marilyn Mendenhall Waugh
Kathleen Nielson
Mark Hagland

2015March 26 - Apr 29Cambridge, MAEducation, Advocate, Legislate

Bennett Greenspan
Rhonda Roorda
David Smolin Rev. Dr. Nicholas Cooper-Lewter

2014April 9–13San Francisco, CABuilding Bridges for Change

Lisa Marie Rollins
John Raible
Leslie Pate Mackinnon
Rickie Solinger
Zara Phillips

2013April 10–14Cleveland, OHCreate the Next Wave

Adam Pertman
Thomas Rector
Dominique Moceanu & Jennifer Bricker
Gina Samuels
Jean Strauss & Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-IL)

2012April 26–29Denver, COMile High Expectations: Adoption in 2012

Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Sherrie Eldridge
Pekitta Tynes

2011April 14–17Orlando, FLMany Faces of Adoption

Ron Nydam
Mary Gauthier
Deann Liem
Susan Harris O'Conner
Rebecca Denton & Lynn Lauber
Mary Anne Alton

2010March 18–21Sacramento, CAVoices of Adoption: Speaking Our Truth, Restoring Our Rights

Jean Strauss
Deborah Jiang Stein
Cathy Lind Hayes
Carista Luminare
Delores Teller

2009April 22–26Cleveland, OHTransforming Families, Connecting Lives

Darryl McDaniels
Sharon Roszia
Dorothy Roberts
Joe Eszterhas & Suzanne Perryman
Jean Strauss
Paula Benoit

2008March 26–29Portland, ORAdoption in the Global Community: Redefining Kinship in the 21st Century

Sharon Roszia
David Brodzinsky
Kevin Campbell
Barbara Raymond

2007March 7–10Wakefield, MATake the Freedom Trail to Truth in Adoption

Darryl McDaniels
Sandy Whitehawk
Gerald Mallon
Ann Fessler

2005July 6–10Las Vegas, NVDon’t Gamble with Truth in Adoption

Fr. Tom Brosnan
Adam Pertman
Russell Friedman
Jean Strauss

2004March 31 - Apr. 4Kansas City, MOBack To Our Roots

Ron Nydam
Marcy Axness
Alison Larkin

2003April 2–5Atlanta, GAAAC’s Silver Anniversary Conference

Jaiya John
Annette Baran
Lorraine Dusky

2002April 10–14Philadelphia, PALet Freedom Ring

Jett Williams
Ruth Amerson
Betsy Forrest & Pam Hasegawa
Betty Jean Lifton
Rev. Dwight Wolter
Zara Phillips
Adam Pertman

2001April 19–22Anaheim, CA2001 An Adoption Odyssey

Penny Callan Partridge & Ron Nydam
Adam Pertman
Joyce Maguire Pavao
Fr. Tom Brosnan
Annette Baran
Kris Probasco

2000April 13–16Nashville, TNMillennium Victories & Visions: A Celebration of Accomplishments, A Confirmation of Purpose, A Challenge to Continue

Patricia Martinez
Nancy Verrier
Joyce Maguire Pavao
Caprice East
Denny Gladd
Fred Greenman Jr.
Julie Sandine
Robert D. Tuke
Annette Baran

1999May 13–16McLean, VARights, Responsibilities, Reality Building Blocks for Adoption Reform

Susan Harris
Mi Ok Song Bruining
Ron Nydam

1998April 2–5Bellevue, WASounding New Depths, Exploring New Channels

Betty Jean Lifton
Joyce Maguire Pavao
Nancy Verrier
Carol Schaefer
Annette Baran
Penny Callan Partridge

1997April 3–5Irving, TXThe Train to Open Records

Betty Jean Lifton
Joyce Maguire Pavao
Nancy Verrier
Carol Schaefer
Annette Baran
Penny Callan Partridge

1996April 25–28Baltimore, MDComing of Age

Annette Baran
Rev. Thomas Brosnan
Reuben Pannor
Joyce Maguire Pavao
Barbara Tremitiere

1995April 10–12Las Vegas, NVAdoption: Laying Our Cards on the Table
1994April 21–24New Orleans, LAJazzin' It Up in Adoption
1993April 1–3Cleveland, OHNew Horizons in Adoption
1992March 19–22Philadelphia, PAWe the People Proclaiming Liberty in Adoption
1991April 10–14Garden Grove, CASharpening the Focus on Adoption
1990May 24–27Chicago, ILWinds of Change: Adoption in the New Age
1989April 5–9New York, NYIllumination on Adoption
1988April 28 - May 1Calgary, AlbertaAdoption Into the 90's
1987May 28–30Boston, MA
1984May 31 - June 3Seattle, WAEducate, Legislate & Emancipate
1983May 19–22Columbus, OHCome Grow With Us
1982June 3–6San Antonio, TX
1981May 28–31Overland Park, KSOpen Minds, Open Records
1980May 8–11Anaheim, CA
1979May 4–7Washington, DC

References

  1. ↑ Official American Adoption Congress Website
  2. ↑ "AAC History". Archived from the original on 2016-01-17. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  3. ↑ "OBC Access Support | Access Massachusetts OBC for MA". obcforma. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
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