February 2004Vol. 5, No. 1In Appreciation

The child welfare community laments the loss of two distinguished and longstanding contributors.

William L. Pierce, Adoption Advocate

William L. Pierce, Ph.D., a leading champion of adoption, passed away on January 13, 2004, after a long struggle with cancer. The founding president of the National Council for Adoption (NCA), Dr. Pierce helped shape public policy on adoption both in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Pierce was active on Capitol Hill and in the media, promoting legislation to reduce obstacles to transracial adoption and to make adoption more affordable for Americans. He was an ardent and tireless advocate for preserving the option of privacy in adoptions and for a national program that trains pregnancy counselors to present the adoption alternative.

In 1993, Dr. Pierce was a member of the U.S. delegation to The Hague and, in that capacity, helped draft the 1993 Intercountry Adoption Convention. In 1994 and 2000, Dr. Pierce was on the International Association of Voluntary Adoption Agencies and NGOs delegation to the Hague Conference on Private International Law. His involvement in these efforts helped create international adoption policies that continue to serve the best interests of children.

Dr. Pierce was a key figure in the adoption field for many years, and he will long be remembered for his many contributions to the welfare of children and families.

Ellen W. Carey, Children's Bureau

Ellen W. Carey, M.S.W., Director of the Child Welfare Capacity Building Division of the Children's Bureau, passed away on December 11, 2003, while recovering from surgery. Ms. Carey had led the Division since its inception, having joined the Children's Bureau in 1992 as National Adoption Specialist. In both of these capacities, she was an integral part of the operations and successes of the Children's Bureau.

Before her career with the Federal Government, Ms. Carey worked in the local Washington, D.C., area in the field of adoption. She held positions with several jurisdictions in Maryland, as well as with the Consortium for Child Welfare, Family and Child Services, Inc., in Washington, D.C. Throughout her career, Ms. Carey was known for her passionate advocacy for adoption, foster care, and the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

In tribute to Ms. Carey, the Adoption Exchange Association has set up a scholarship fund. The first scholarship will be awarded in July at the National Adoption and Foster Care Recruitment Summit. Donations to the Ellen W. Carey Memorial Fund can be sent to the Adoption Exchange Association, 8015 Corporate Drive, Suite C, Baltimore, MD 21236.