Celebrating Women’s History Month

In 1971, Florence Fisher, born and adopted in New York, placed a classified ad in the New York Times to connect with other adoptees. This led to the founding of the Adoptees Liberty Movement Association (ALMA), the first organization dedicated to liberty for adopted persons. In 1973, she published “The Search for Ana Fisher” which continues to be read by adopted people worldwide.

During Women‘s History Month, the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York honors Florence Fisher as the pioneer of the adoptee rights movement. She had an unwavering commitment to the restoration of an adopted person’s right to request and obtain their original birth certificate (OBC); a right the Coalition fully supports. To that end, two of our team members, Claudia Corrigan D’Arcy and Annette O’Connell carried Florence’s torch in New York. Like Florence, they were unwavering in the fight to secure the rights of adopted adults in New York. They, along with other members of the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition  (of which the Coalition is a partner), walked the halls of the New York Legislature more times than anyone could count. In 2019 their efforts, and the efforts of Florence and countless others, were realized when New York State enacted S3419/A5494; legislation that allows adopted persons age 18 or over to request and obtain a certified copy of their OBC. That single act took decades of work and dedication thus changing the course of history for adopted adults in New York State. 

On October 1, 2023 the adoption community lost Florence Fisher. Florence died having received her original birth certificate. She died having realized her passion was fulfilled. Florence died knowing she was equal to non-adopted people in New York. Today we honor Florence, Claudia, Annette, and all of the women in the adoptee rights movement who continue to change history in the United States.