Women Who Changed Fostering

The Reverend John Armistead is credited with creating the modern form of fostering we recognise in the UK today. History records that many other men had a hand in developing the system over the years too, but they weren’t the only ones. With March being Women’s History Month, we thought we’d take a look at some of the amazing ladies who have made a big contribution to children’s care around the world.

First, let us introduce Marian Wright Edelman. Born in South Carolina in 1939, this trailblazer has spent most of her life advocating for the marginalised. After taking part in the Civil Rights Movement, she became the first female African-American lawyer admitted to the Mississippi bar, fought race issues and then founded the Children’s Defense Fund. Through this she later persuaded Congress to improve the American foster care system. Essentially, Edelman got one of the biggest influences in the Western world to take issues like fostering seriously. We love her philosophy that,

” …if you don’t like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it, one step at a time. “

Now to the UK and Eglantyne Jebb. Before women even got the vote, the Save the Children founder went to Geneva and attended the 1924 League of Nations convention. In front of world leaders, she presented her theory that EVERY child had human rights. Her proposal was promptly accepted and became the forerunner to the modern-day UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. That’s the global document which details 54 articles on the different rights of children and greatly helps shape foster care in the UK today.

Next, the relentless Indian child rights activist, Nomita Chandy. This wonderful worker founded a centre for homeless children in Bangalore and oversaw 1000’s of foster and adoption placements from there. Firmly believing,

” as an institution, we can give just that much of attention, whereas a family can give a lot more. Take a child from anywhere and give love; the child will flourish… “

…she challenged the thinking of the day, every day and we are grateful.

Back to America now, with a shout out for Amelia Earhart. It may, or may not, surprise you that one of the most adventurous women of her day was also a social worker. As a woman championing forgotten families and teaching girls, she broke social norms left, right and centre. Oh, and she also became the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic. Foster care goals.

Finally, bang up-to-date we find Isabelle Trowler. As the government’s Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, she has a huge say on fostering. Among other things, her job is to improve social care in the UK and ensure we as social workers provide the best possible care to children and adults. It’s a big task, but one that we hope she succeeds in, we’ll certainly proudly keep on holding up our end of the work here at Footprints.

And now to you. Whatever your gender, we hope you’ve been inspired by these stories. If you have, please contact us to find out how you can change the fostering world too. Bring it on.