Mary Bowers
@eatbemary.bsky.social
🦑 Squid Game: The Challenge Player #078 | 🇰🇷 Korea's #1 Ranked Competitive Eater | 🌭 9× Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest Finalist | #adoptee Advocate
Pinned
Mary Bowers
@eatbemary.bsky.social
· Jan 13
Resources
Guidebook on Korean Citizenship Status for Adopted Koreans Adoptee Mental Health Guide
auskrg.com
Sharing for adoptees and families in the US who are feeling anxious about records or citizenship. If you or someone you care about has questions, this guide may help.
While primarily for Korean adoptees, Appendices D and E are useful for all internationally adopted Americans.
auskrg.com/resources
While primarily for Korean adoptees, Appendices D and E are useful for all internationally adopted Americans.
auskrg.com/resources
Reposted by Mary Bowers
The National Council for Adoption has millions of dollars, reflecting the lopsided “demand side” of the industry: affluent hopeful adopters.
Birthmothers, by contrast, repeatedly tell us that if they had even a little more financial stability, they could have chosen to keep their children. +
Birthmothers, by contrast, repeatedly tell us that if they had even a little more financial stability, they could have chosen to keep their children. +
February 7, 2026 at 8:11 PM
The National Council for Adoption has millions of dollars, reflecting the lopsided “demand side” of the industry: affluent hopeful adopters.
Birthmothers, by contrast, repeatedly tell us that if they had even a little more financial stability, they could have chosen to keep their children. +
Birthmothers, by contrast, repeatedly tell us that if they had even a little more financial stability, they could have chosen to keep their children. +
Whether from war, trafficking, immigration policy, or plenary adoption, involuntary family separation is a wound that lasts a lifetime.
Sending courage to parents searching and hope to children missing them. May you find strength to keep moving toward reunion and safety.
youtu.be/bqFGN0FE3lA?...
Sending courage to parents searching and hope to children missing them. May you find strength to keep moving toward reunion and safety.
youtu.be/bqFGN0FE3lA?...
Labeled an "Orphan", She Discovers a Biological Brother 23 Years Younger. Is It Too Late?
YouTube video by CNA Insider
youtu.be
January 31, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Whether from war, trafficking, immigration policy, or plenary adoption, involuntary family separation is a wound that lasts a lifetime.
Sending courage to parents searching and hope to children missing them. May you find strength to keep moving toward reunion and safety.
youtu.be/bqFGN0FE3lA?...
Sending courage to parents searching and hope to children missing them. May you find strength to keep moving toward reunion and safety.
youtu.be/bqFGN0FE3lA?...
Reposted by Mary Bowers
To Adoptive Parents and Policymakers: International adoption cannot be separated from our immigration policy. 🥚
January 28, 2026 at 6:45 PM
To Adoptive Parents and Policymakers: International adoption cannot be separated from our immigration policy. 🥚
Reposted by Mary Bowers
California SB381 just passed the Senate (CA-born adult adoptee access to their original birth certificates)
On to the House next LFG!!!
On to the House next LFG!!!
California Adoption Legislation - California Alliance
Join us to secure California adoptees' rights to original birth certificates. Advocate for equal access now!
caallianceforadopteerights.org
January 27, 2026 at 7:56 PM
California SB381 just passed the Senate (CA-born adult adoptee access to their original birth certificates)
On to the House next LFG!!!
On to the House next LFG!!!
Reposted by Mary Bowers
🚨🚨VA RESIDENTS: Want to do some advocacy from home this weekend?
HB301 will give VA-born adopted people the right to access their original birth certificates and will be heard by the full VA House **before Fri 1/30**.
More details and email templates below
HB301 will give VA-born adopted people the right to access their original birth certificates and will be heard by the full VA House **before Fri 1/30**.
More details and email templates below
January 25, 2026 at 3:33 PM
🚨🚨VA RESIDENTS: Want to do some advocacy from home this weekend?
HB301 will give VA-born adopted people the right to access their original birth certificates and will be heard by the full VA House **before Fri 1/30**.
More details and email templates below
HB301 will give VA-born adopted people the right to access their original birth certificates and will be heard by the full VA House **before Fri 1/30**.
More details and email templates below
Reposted by Mary Bowers
i’m a librarian and i really love archivists and their mission. we librarians serve the people of the present. archivists serve posterity.
January 25, 2026 at 2:17 AM
i’m a librarian and i really love archivists and their mission. we librarians serve the people of the present. archivists serve posterity.
Reposted by Mary Bowers
These are the horrors I want adoptive parents to sit with when they allow themselves to believe that the reason why contact stops from the mothers who lost their children is because the adoptee they're raising "wasn't wanted"
There’s a reel from the Concerned United Birthparents’ Instagram account in which a relinquishing mother says that when she came home alone after having given birth and spent two days with her daughter “it felt like she died.” 🥚
January 23, 2026 at 5:56 PM
These are the horrors I want adoptive parents to sit with when they allow themselves to believe that the reason why contact stops from the mothers who lost their children is because the adoptee they're raising "wasn't wanted"
Reposted by Mary Bowers
another piece about the adoption industry’s model state of Utah just came out.
If you think using coercion and deception to speedily strip a person of their child forever raises ethical problems, maybe take a look at Utah. 🥚
If you think using coercion and deception to speedily strip a person of their child forever raises ethical problems, maybe take a look at Utah. 🥚
Pregnant, alone and bused to Utah: How the state became a hub for out-of-state adoptions
She was pregnant, alone and searching for help. An adoption agency told her to come to Utah — where birth mothers can sign away parental rights just 24 hours after delivery. Critics say Utah’s laws ha...
www.sltrib.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:54 PM
another piece about the adoption industry’s model state of Utah just came out.
If you think using coercion and deception to speedily strip a person of their child forever raises ethical problems, maybe take a look at Utah. 🥚
If you think using coercion and deception to speedily strip a person of their child forever raises ethical problems, maybe take a look at Utah. 🥚
Reposted by Mary Bowers
another heartwrenching part of the story of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo is the resistance they encountered from adopters over returning the children to their original families. And the Abuelas tended only to press these claims against adopters who had reason to believe the children had been stolen.
January 21, 2026 at 3:00 AM
another heartwrenching part of the story of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo is the resistance they encountered from adopters over returning the children to their original families. And the Abuelas tended only to press these claims against adopters who had reason to believe the children had been stolen.
Reposted by Mary Bowers
For anyone who wants to submit testimony or otherwise support: HB301 is the bill that (if passed) will give VA-born adopted people the right to access their original birth certificate. It's assigned to the Health Committee, it may be heard as soon as next week!
More info in the thread below
More info in the thread below
Virginia HB301 | 2026 | Regular Regular Session
Summary (2026-01-14) Adult adoptees; access to vital records. [Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB301)]
legiscan.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:40 PM
For anyone who wants to submit testimony or otherwise support: HB301 is the bill that (if passed) will give VA-born adopted people the right to access their original birth certificate. It's assigned to the Health Committee, it may be heard as soon as next week!
More info in the thread below
More info in the thread below
Reposted by Mary Bowers
CA people could really do #adoptees a solid by calling their reps *immediately* to voice support for SB-381, a clean bill giving CA adoptees access to their original birth certificates.
January 13, 2026 at 6:45 PM
CA people could really do #adoptees a solid by calling their reps *immediately* to voice support for SB-381, a clean bill giving CA adoptees access to their original birth certificates.
Reposted by Mary Bowers
I learned that there were about 1,500-2,000 Iranians adopted from Iran between 1963-1979, scattered from Germany to the US. Coming from a small group doesn't provide as many resources as those from larger adoption groups. And the Islamic Republic most likely didn't keep records. Sigh. 🥚 #FreeIran
January 13, 2026 at 9:22 PM
I learned that there were about 1,500-2,000 Iranians adopted from Iran between 1963-1979, scattered from Germany to the US. Coming from a small group doesn't provide as many resources as those from larger adoption groups. And the Islamic Republic most likely didn't keep records. Sigh. 🥚 #FreeIran
Sharing for adoptees and families in the US who are feeling anxious about records or citizenship. If you or someone you care about has questions, this guide may help.
While primarily for Korean adoptees, Appendices D and E are useful for all internationally adopted Americans.
auskrg.com/resources
While primarily for Korean adoptees, Appendices D and E are useful for all internationally adopted Americans.
auskrg.com/resources
Resources
Guidebook on Korean Citizenship Status for Adopted Koreans Adoptee Mental Health Guide
auskrg.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Sharing for adoptees and families in the US who are feeling anxious about records or citizenship. If you or someone you care about has questions, this guide may help.
While primarily for Korean adoptees, Appendices D and E are useful for all internationally adopted Americans.
auskrg.com/resources
While primarily for Korean adoptees, Appendices D and E are useful for all internationally adopted Americans.
auskrg.com/resources
Many people choose comfort over truth. I lost my first family, and later, parts of my adoptive one as I questioned where my life started.
Even on good days, grief remains. But adoptees + allies now sit with me ❤️🩹.
Children should never lose family in the name of profit. apnews.com/article/kore...
Even on good days, grief remains. But adoptees + allies now sit with me ❤️🩹.
Children should never lose family in the name of profit. apnews.com/article/kore...
South Korea vows to end foreign adoptions as UN presses Seoul to address past abuses
South Korea’s government says it plans to end the waning foreign adoptions of Korean children. The announcement came Friday.
apnews.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Many people choose comfort over truth. I lost my first family, and later, parts of my adoptive one as I questioned where my life started.
Even on good days, grief remains. But adoptees + allies now sit with me ❤️🩹.
Children should never lose family in the name of profit. apnews.com/article/kore...
Even on good days, grief remains. But adoptees + allies now sit with me ❤️🩹.
Children should never lose family in the name of profit. apnews.com/article/kore...
Reposted by Mary Bowers
A key part of today’s executive order:
Faith-based foster-care agencies will now qualify for federal support.
The White House is directing agencies to override state barriers that restrict religious organizations and expand partnerships with churches and faith-based providers.
Faith-based foster-care agencies will now qualify for federal support.
The White House is directing agencies to override state barriers that restrict religious organizations and expand partnerships with churches and faith-based providers.
NEW EO: Trump launches “Fostering the Future” — an overhaul of America’s foster-care system.
✔️ AI matching
✔️ State scorecards
✔️ New platform for youth aging out
✔️ Demand for expanded faith-based partnerships
✔️ Redirecting federal funds to education & jobs
✔️ AI matching
✔️ State scorecards
✔️ New platform for youth aging out
✔️ Demand for expanded faith-based partnerships
✔️ Redirecting federal funds to education & jobs
November 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
A key part of today’s executive order:
Faith-based foster-care agencies will now qualify for federal support.
The White House is directing agencies to override state barriers that restrict religious organizations and expand partnerships with churches and faith-based providers.
Faith-based foster-care agencies will now qualify for federal support.
The White House is directing agencies to override state barriers that restrict religious organizations and expand partnerships with churches and faith-based providers.
Reposted by Mary Bowers
National Adoption Awareness Month, which is about promoting #adoption, begins today. none of the promotional material contains an answer to the following naïve question:
why does “give this child a loving and safe home” require “erase and rewrite this child’s entire identity”?
why does “give this child a loving and safe home” require “erase and rewrite this child’s entire identity”?
November 1, 2025 at 8:46 PM
National Adoption Awareness Month, which is about promoting #adoption, begins today. none of the promotional material contains an answer to the following naïve question:
why does “give this child a loving and safe home” require “erase and rewrite this child’s entire identity”?
why does “give this child a loving and safe home” require “erase and rewrite this child’s entire identity”?
Reposted by Mary Bowers
It's Adoptee Remembrance Day today. I think about all the adoptees whose lives have ended too early. May they rest in peace🥚
October 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM
It's Adoptee Remembrance Day today. I think about all the adoptees whose lives have ended too early. May they rest in peace🥚
Reposted by Mary Bowers
🥚 Extraordinary apology from South Korean President to 200,000 Koreans sent abroad as adoptees, many of whom “discovered their records were falsified to portray them as abandoned orphans, while others were carelessly removed, or even stolen, from their birth families” 1/3
apnews.com/article/sout...
apnews.com/article/sout...
South Korea's president apologizes over poorly managed foreign adoption programs
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has apologized for poorly managed foreign adoption programs that were rife with abuses and fraud.
apnews.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
🥚 Extraordinary apology from South Korean President to 200,000 Koreans sent abroad as adoptees, many of whom “discovered their records were falsified to portray them as abandoned orphans, while others were carelessly removed, or even stolen, from their birth families” 1/3
apnews.com/article/sout...
apnews.com/article/sout...
A person does not need to be a racist to participate in or perpetuate racist systems. It's important to listen and learn with open hearts and minds, especially when the person naming the harm is someone you claim to love as one of your own. #adopteevoices 🥚 www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/whats-...
What's Coming Up - Korean Adoptees And Their Journey To Reclaim Erased Histories In One "Orphan" Every Hour
Nearly 250,000 Korean children were adopted to the West as "orphans". Were they lucky to be rescued, or does the truth tell a different story? Find out in One "Orphan" Every Hour. Premiering 30 Augus...
www.channelnewsasia.com
August 31, 2025 at 3:22 AM
A person does not need to be a racist to participate in or perpetuate racist systems. It's important to listen and learn with open hearts and minds, especially when the person naming the harm is someone you claim to love as one of your own. #adopteevoices 🥚 www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/whats-...
After filming this documentary, I became 1 of 56 resolved cases in Korea's TRC #adoption investigation, confirming human rights violations. 311 remain unresolved. Thanks @channelnewsasia.bsky.social for telling our stories 🥚.
Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.
f.mtr.cool
August 31, 2025 at 1:40 AM
After filming this documentary, I became 1 of 56 resolved cases in Korea's TRC #adoption investigation, confirming human rights violations. 311 remain unresolved. Thanks @channelnewsasia.bsky.social for telling our stories 🥚.
I grew up believing I was an orphan. The truth told a different story 💔. See my story in One Orphan Every Hour this Sat, Aug 30 at 9pm SGT @channelnewsasia.bsky.social 🥚. #Korea #AdopteeVoices #adoptionjourney #adoptionstory #adoption
August 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I grew up believing I was an orphan. The truth told a different story 💔. See my story in One Orphan Every Hour this Sat, Aug 30 at 9pm SGT @channelnewsasia.bsky.social 🥚. #Korea #AdopteeVoices #adoptionjourney #adoptionstory #adoption
It's totally a coincidence. Can't possibly be related, right? 🧮
August 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM
It's totally a coincidence. Can't possibly be related, right? 🧮
I had no idea how much anger I could feel until I found my little brother. Now, I understand what was stolen from us. Society shames adoptees for feeling angry. If you aren't angry about systemic child abuse, corruption, and violations of human rights, maybe it's time to ask why. #adoption 🥚
August 20, 2025 at 10:33 PM
I had no idea how much anger I could feel until I found my little brother. Now, I understand what was stolen from us. Society shames adoptees for feeling angry. If you aren't angry about systemic child abuse, corruption, and violations of human rights, maybe it's time to ask why. #adoption 🥚