Profile: Gina Wright-Ledet, a young birthmother making a difference

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Gina's is not a loud voice in the world of adoption, but it's a voice that's heard by many who need it. In a time when we are hard-pressed to find solutions to some of the root problems with adoption-related policies and practices, she uses her soft voice to educate.

Gina is an LPN studying for her RN degree. She is also a birthmother. (Part of her story is included in Real People: Birthmothers.) She placed her daughter in an open adoption and has ongoing contact through letters, pictures, phone calls, and visits. Shortly after placing her daughter, Gina was invited to a support group that changed her life... and the lives of many others. I asked Gina to use her own words to tell about recent developments. What follows is reprinted with her permission.

"Life's greatest pleasure and satisfaction is found in giving. And thegreatest of all gifts is that of one's self."

James Cash Penney - 1956
Founder, J. C. Penney's

Mr. Penney was the founder of J. C. Penney's. His first store was known as The Golden Rule Store before the name was changed to its current one. It is in honor of Mr. Penney and his first store that the J. C. Penney corporation sponsors The Golden Rule Award for excellence in volunteerism each year in all the communities its stores call home.

As I sit in the posh conference room of the Country Club sipping punch that has the sour hint of grapefruit juice, I tap my foot impatiently. One by one each nominee's name is called out. The nominee stands, the announcer extols his/her virtues as a volunteer and calls the name of the next nominee.

"Gina Wright-Ledet."

Finally! I stand, wondering what my program director, Juanita Smith, has said about me. The announcer goes on to tell of the things I have done for theprogram.

I have been with the Topeka YWCA's Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program for almost four years now. A co-worker of mine who had already been with the group for almost three years found out that I had placed my child for adoption at a young age. She invited me to a support group meeting, where the program director hooked her claws on me, and I have been there ever since, with no complaints.

I started out as a member of the Teen Speaker's Bureau. This is a group of teens and young adults who have chosen to remain abstinent, are teen parents, or who have placed a child for adoption. Bureau members go into middle and high schools, youth groups, and even a couple of universities in ShawneeCounty and surrounding areas. There, panel members share their own personal stories about the choices and decisions they havemade and how they have affected their lives.

Pretty soon Juanita, a feisty 81 year old, had me helping her teach classes, then was sending me out on my own to teach. So not only was I speaking, but I was also becoming a fast expert on STD's, contraception, self-esteem, and teen relationships. But it was all something I enjoyed thoroughly, and I still enjoy doing it today.

The announcer moves on to the next nominee and I take my seat again. I give Juanita's hand a squeeze, and I smile at my mom. She has that "SHE'S MY DAUGHTER!" look on her face. The list of nominees goes on and on. I take another sip of grapefruit punch.

Finally, the announcer finishes with the nominees and the room applauds. There are over 52,000 combined hours of volunteerism here in this room, and we are all winners.

The finalists, or runners-up, are announced and my anxiety grows with each name. Each of the four finalists (one for the Youth, Group, Adult, and Education categories) is given a framed certificate and one of those big cardboard checks for $250.00 made as a donation in their names to the group or charity where they volunteer.

Then the winners are announced. "In the Youth Category...." I let my breath out. The winner comes up to receive the award. Another cardboard check, but I can't see how much it's for, and a marble and crystal flame statuette. ""In the Adult Category..." I look at my hands. My knuckles are white from gripping the armrests on the chair. I smile at my mom again. Why can't they just get this over with? "In the Group Category...." I really need to pee now, too much punch.

Next page > And the winner is...(with photos) > Page 1, 2

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