Ashley Rhodes-Courter

1.

Was born to a single teen mother and was put into foster care at the age of three, where she spent the next 10 years living at over 14 homes.

2.

Many of the foster care homes she lived in were mentally and physically abusive environments—she later learned that 25 percent of her caregivers either were or became convicted felons.

3.

School became her sanctuary and it helped her cope with and transcend her circumstances—says “nobody could beat my knowledge out of me.”

4.

She was eventually adopted from a children’s home when she was 12.

5.

Says all of her experiences growing up “created a platform of passion” and a desire to advocate for others—as a teen, she got directly involved in lawsuits that changed foster care laws.

6.

At age 17, she won a writing contest with an essay about her life and was granted a book deal—her first book, “Three Little Words,” became a New York Times and international bestseller.

7.

Earned a full scholarship to Eckerd College, where she majored in communications and theater and minored in political science and psychology; she also holds a master’s degree in social work.

8.

She is now a celebrated speaker, advocate, nonprofit founder, author, and foster parent working to change policies surrounding the foster care system and provide support to children and parents.