Ashley Rhode-Courter

Keynote speaker Ashley Rhodes-Courter is the quintessential American success story. Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 she was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes – some quite abusive – before being adopted from a Children’s Home at the age of twelve. She would later chronicle her harrowing story in the New York Times Bestseller Three Little Words which is currently being adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Amanda Seyfried and directed by James Mangold.

Despite her ordeal, Ashley excelled in school because she believed that, “my education was the one thing nobody could take from me.” Early in her life she felt compelled to advocate for herself and the other children she lived with, particularly in the abusive foster homes.

Her efforts and academic achievements landed her Eckerd College’s Trustee Scholarship—the school’s most prestigious full-tuition award. She graduated with honors and ahead of schedule earning a double major in Communications and Theater and a double minor in Political Science and Psychology. Ashley then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.

During speaker Ashley Rhodes-Courter undergraduate studies, she was one of 20 college students selected for the USA Today All-USA Academic Team and was named one of Glamour Magazine’s Top Ten College Women. She was also named one of the four Golden BR!CK Award winners for outstanding advocacy for community change by Do Something. As part of their campaign, she was featured on 25 million bags of Cool Ranch Doritos. She was the Youth Advocate of the Year for the North American Council on Adoptable Children, has received the Kids to Kids National Service Award from the Child Welfare League of America, and was the recipient of two Angels in Adoption Awards from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.

Internationally recognized, speaker Ashley Rhodes-Courter has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Nightline, Nancy Grace, ABC Primetime, Montel Williams, and other national media outlets. She frequently appears in local television and newspaper markets when she travels for her speeches. She hosted a television program called “Explore Adoption” which was produced by the State of Florida to raise the public’s awareness of foster children in need of loving and permanent homes.

Three Little Words

(Based on her award-winning New York Times Bestselling memoir)

Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, Ashley was in the foster care system by the age of 3. Most of her placements were abusive and overcrowded. In one home, 16 people lived in a trailer and the children were regularly beaten, neglected, verbally assaulted, and food was withheld. Another foster parent became a convicted pedophile. She was also placed with an alcoholic relative that was shot twice in front of her.

After spending almost ten years in foster care, living in 14 different homes, Ashley was finally adopted from a Children’s Home when she was twelve. Ashley is now inspired to use her story to better the lives of others. She doesn’t see herself as a victim but instead, understands the importance of praising those that step up to help others, turning pain into power, and encouraging others to create change for themselves and others. It only takes one person to change the life of another and her story serves as a passionate example of triumph and inspiration.

Reframing Your Life: What’s Good About Bad Experiences

“Instead of letting my past experiences cripple me, I was able to put a positive spin on my experiences.” A negative force can give someone a rallying point and lead them not only find solutions to their dilemma but provide a new path to happiness.  Productivity, contentment, and success are just a mindset away. Finding opportunities for growth and learning are keys to enhancing professional and personal lives and relationships.

Keys to My Kingdom: School as Sanctuary; Teachers as Mentors

Ashley attributes education as the cornerstone of her success. “I was lucky enough to have teachers who took a special interest in me—an uncertain foster child—and nurtured me in the classroom where I felt safe.  They made me feel special, talented, and encouraged me to continue to excel academically. They also called in abuse complaints and tried to protect me—even when they were ignored many times. One anonymous one probably saved my life.” In this lecture, Ashley talks about the importance of recognizing strengths, engaging students and youth, and reminds us that school may be the only sanctuary some children have. Ashley gives us a unique glimpse into the lives of children that may have abusive or troubled home lives, and discusses how that can translate in the classroom.

Making a Difference: How One Individual Can Change The Life of Another

It takes only one person to change a life. We all know someone who has been neglected, abused, impoverished, ill, in foster care, is medically fragile, or has a special need.  Heroes can be a foster parent, teacher, nurse, mentor, CASA, relative, pastor, peer, neighbor, counselor, community member, business owner, or friend.  “Several people reached out to me and can be credited not only for my success, but my survival–and one was an unpaid volunteer.”  Sometimes, the biggest impact is being made when you’re not even trying!