by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
In a year with rulings for marriage equality and public discussions on LGBT rights, many people have said that 2015 is the year of the family, and a year where it was decided that families come in all shapes and sizes and configurations. That same attitude of unity and celebration was on hand at the annual Angels in Adoptions gala held by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCIA). 140 Angels from states across the country were also celebrated by their Members of Congress at CCAI’s 17th annual awards gala that has in the past celebrated big names like Hugh Jackman and Katherine Heigl.
Musician Rachel Crow
This year’s honorees brought huge fan-bases themselves; Emmy Award-nominated actress Connie Britton and X-Factor and Disney star Rachel Crow. Britton, who has an adopted son from Ethiopia, and Crow, who herself was adopted have been hugely vocal advocates for adopted and foster youths. This year’s gala also welcomed Korie and Willie Robertson of A&E’s Duck Dynasty who served as emcees.
2015 Gala Hosts, Duck Dynasty’s Korie and Willie Robertson
“The Angels in Adoption Program is an opportunity to share the story of the heroes who have helped children in U.S. foster care and orphans around the world realize their basic right to a family,” said CCAI Executive Director Becky Weichhand. “There is so much to celebrate tonight!” Weichhand praised Britton, Crow and the Robertsons for all being strong national examples of encouragement to the country on these issues and for the positive attention that they continually bring to the cause.
Crow talked about her own connection to the issue stating head on that she knows what this causes is about; “It is such an honor to be chosen as this year’s National Angel in Adoption. I am grateful to be able to use my talents to help raise awareness about foster youth and adoption.” Noting that as a 17-year-old, bringing forth this very personal issue is challenging Crow was positive and upbeat in saying, “I like the pressure. I always think, if there’s something I don’t have to try hard at then why am I doing it?” Crow hopes to use her spotlight for the good before hopefully starting her own family down the line.
Christie Mullin and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma)
Korie and Willie Robertson said, “We are honored and humbled to be a part of the Angels in Adoption gala again this year. Adoption has been a huge blessing to our family and we want to do all that we can to support adoptive parents and help children in need find their forever families.” The Robertsons, who have an adopted son as well as several biological children said that the dynamic of their family is only enhanced by the presence of more children who they can raise and give a good upbringing to.
Becky Weichhand, Korie Robertson, Willie Robertson
Listen to Crow and the Robertsons, in their own words, talk about living life in a modern family:
