Brenda & son, Daniel

Skye says:

When I was seven months pregnant I was first introduced to the name 'Brenda Romanchik', when I was handed a copy of her book, A Birthparent's Book of Memories. That first year of my birth-motherhood, I found comfort in Brenda's words on grief, and loss, and healing. Now days, Brenda has still been so helpful to me as a friend, and as a birthmom advocate. She brings a lot to the table, wisdom, experience, compassion and insightfulness. Thanks Brenda!

About Brenda

Brenda is the birthmother of an 18 year old son, Matt, whom she placed in an open adoption at birth. Brenda resides in Michigan with her husband, and two children, Katrina and Daniel. Hobbies include voracious reading and chocolate.

Author of the following titles

- A Gift of Myself, 2000

- A Birthparent’s Book of Memories, 2000

- Your Rights and Responsibilities: For expectant parents exploring adoption., 1999

- Birthparent Grief, 1999

- Being a Birthparent: Finding our place., 1999

- What is Open Adoption?, 1999

- A Birthmother’s Book of Memories, 1994

Brenda's Work

Brenda is the director of the non-profit open adoption education organization, Insight: Open Adoption Resources and Support. A valuable source of articles, books, and open adoption information. I highly suggest that anyone considering adoption (either placing or adopting) visit her site and see what is has to offer.

Are you a birthparent in an open adoption who is looking to to connect to other birthparents? Twice a year, spring and fall, Brenda holds the 'Lifegiver's Festival' in Traverse City Michigan.

In Brenda's own words:

The Lifegiver’s Festival is a conference/retreat specifically designed for birthparents in open adoptions. It strives to provide a safe, nurturing place where birthparents can learn, connect and discuss issues most important to them. It also is a place where birthparents can find honor, respect and support for their role in their child’s life.

Read more about the Lifegiver's Festival!

Speaker/Presenter

Brenda has spoken at conferences such as:

-NACAC National Conference, Vancouver, BC, August 2003. Institute Presenter

-Ontario Adoption Council "Planting Seeds of Change" Conference, November, 2002 - Keynote and Presenter

-NACAC National Conference, Chicago, 2002 - Presenter two workshops.

-Michigan Adoptive Parent/Foster Parent Association's Annual State Conference. 2002. Presenter two workshops

-The Adoption Awareness Alliance, Cincinnati, OH - November, 2000, Keynote and Professional Training

- The Biennial Conference on Open Adoption 1987, 1989. 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003.

- The Biennial Conference on Open Adoption Families - 1998, 2000, 2002.

- The Lifegiver's Festival, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000, 2001, 2002.

- Adoption Resource Network 1998 conference Keynote and Think Tank participant.

- The Adoption Journey's Conference, 1999

- The National Federation for Open Adoption Education Conference 1996

- The American Adoption Congress National Conference 1996

Honors

2001 - Recipient of the Baran & Pannor Award for Outstanding Contributions in Open Adoption

1997 - Recipient of the Spirit of Open Adoption Award

Be sure to read Brenda's poem 'An Openly Adopted Child's Legacy' here on Lifemothers.