The Gladney Center for Adoption is 130 years old this year! We want to celebrate all year long by sharing fun and interesting adoption facts about our history and culture. Check out these 12 facts that we put together in May.
- In 2010, Gladney took a group of adoptees to Russia on a Heritage and Service trip to visit the region where their family became complete. This was the children's first time returning to Russia after being adopted. The children were challenged to raise humanitarian aid to provide to their orphanages - the 10 children raised over $10,000.
- Abigail Van Buren, known the world over as "Dear Abby," toured the campus in 1965 during a visit to Fort Worth. To this day, the Dear Abby advice column continues to be a strong adoption advocate.
- The Next Steps Program kicked off in 2009. Next Steps helps birth mothers transition back into the "real world" after delivery. Birth mothers are armed with knowledge, education, practical tools, and confidence to take on the world with a renewed and healthy perspective by focusing on the whole person - mind, body and spirit. It is Gladney's goal for birth mothers to leave us well equipped.
- A nationally known and respected adoption advocate, Ruby Lee Piester was inducted into the Texas Woman's Hall of Fame in 1997.
- Edna ignored conventions of her day and was a firm believer in the early placement of children. She thought common sense dictated that a child and his/her parents be united as soon as possible. She welcomed children of all races, declaring that the Home was "only interested in one race, the human race." Learn about the adoption programs Gladney offers today by requesting our free adoption information packet.
Mrs. Gladney convinced her Board of Directors to buy the 35-bed West Texas Maternity Hospital in 1949. She wanted to expand services to birth mothers by giving them a place to live and good medical care so that they could deliver healthy babies. - The Gladney Center has two domestic adoption programs: Domestic Infant places infants into the arms of loving families; and New Beginnings, our program that places children available for adoption through the Texas state foster care system, and children born with special medical needs. Start your adoption journey today by requesting Gladney’s free Adoption Information Packet.
- The Edna Gladney Home, as it was then known, received full accreditation from the Child Welfare League of America in 1962.
Sam Gladney bought the Sherman (Texas) Mill and Grain Company in May, 1913, and changed the name to The Gladney Milling Company. The primary product of the mill was Gladiola Flour, and all of the flour sacks had a picture of colorful gladiolas. Check out these Gladiola Flour recipes we found on Pinterest! - Former President George Bush, and Gladney grandparent, joined families as they celebrated Gladney's 110th Anniversary & Homecoming in October, 1997.
- I.Z.T Morris was a Confederate Army Veteran and a circuit-riding Methodist minister and the founder of the Gladney Center for Adoption.
- Edna Gladney was named Superintendent of the Texas Children's Home in 1927 and planned to stay in the position, primarily as a fundraiser, for only a year. Instead, she remained as superintendent for 33 years.
Topics:
130th Anniversary
