Ashley Rhodes-Courter Speaker Biography
International Child Welfare Advocate and National Ambassador, Award-Winning Author of Three Little Words
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. Despite her ordeal, she 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.
Honor Student
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.
Top Ten College Woman
During her 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.
Memoir and Movie
On June 1, 2003, the New York Times Magazine published her grand prize winning essay about her adoption day. She expanded her essay into a memoir, Three Little Words, which was published by Simon & Schuster in January 2008 and quickly became a national bestseller. The book is currently being made into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon. The book has been adopted by schools and communities as part of One School, One Book initiatives across the country.
TED Speaker
In 2010, Ashley was selected to represent and mentor as part of Levi’s Shape What’s To Come campaign, an online, global community for women that offers opportunities to exchange ideas, collaborate, and provide support to one another. She and her work with Levi’s was featured at the TED Women’s Conference in Washington, D.C.
National Child Welfare Ambassador
Ashley currently serves as a National Child Welfare Ambassador for the American Humane Association as well as on several national and international boards including, OrphanAid Africa, Ghana; Children Without a Voice USA; and Family Focus Adoption, USA.
International Child Welfare Expert
Recognizing that child welfare issues are universal, Ashley spent time in Europe, South Africa, and China studying child welfare and social policies. Locally, she serves on the board of the Pasco/Pinellas Heart Gallery, PEHMS (Personal Enrichment Mental Health Services), and consults with many local and international agencies and groups that work in the mental health, human rights, education, and child welfare fields. She has also been a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (or CASA) and is a licensed and active foster parent. Since the age of 14, Ashley has advocated for the half-million children still in foster care in America by giving speeches throughout the U.S. She has spoken on Capitol Hill, has been invited to the White House, and has taught at numerous colleges and conferences for elected officials, judges, social workers, policy makers, and families.
Media
Internationally recognized, Ashley 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. This segment won an Emmy in 2009. In April 2012 the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce selected Ashley as the International Woman of the Year at their Iconic Women of St. Petersburg event.
Florida State Senate Candidate
At the age of 26, Ashley ran a very close race for the Florida State Senate. Ashley has turned her pain into power and has a passion to share her story with those who have experienced adversity. Ashley strives to encourage education, compassion, community involvement, and positive outcomes for youth and families.
Ashley Rhodes-Courter Speaking Topics
Three Little Words
What three little words could change your life? "Change Your Narrative" In her highly sought-after keynote, Ashley RhodesCourter, unveils a journey of survival, resilience, and triumph against all odds. Formerly in foster care, enduring severe abuse, she emerged as an award-winning New York Times Bestselling Author. Prepare to laugh, cry, and be inspired by her firsthand experiences and exceptional insights.
Helping the Helpers
Mitigating burnout, mastering stress-relief techniques for handling anxiety, tragedies, and disappointments. Differentiating authentic self-care from what isn't, promoting self-advocacy and support for others. Ideal for individuals in roles directly serving others— whether through jobs or volunteer work. A powerful reminder that the transformative impact of changing one person's life begins with just one individual
Schools as Sanctuaries
School was a sanctuary for Ashley where she was protected and encouraged by teachers and faculty. These unspoken heroes often do not receive the credit they deserve. Ashley’s trainings and keynotes provide content that help educators identify abuse, neglect, bullying, and explore complicated family dynamics. Audiences leave with useful tools and a renewed sense of purpose and passion.
Power of Perspective
Delving into the Growth Mindset: Unlocking Potential; Distinguishing Between Major and Minor Challenges; Self Discovery and Processing the World; Practical Insights for Cultivating Optimism; Extracting Lessons from Experiences; and Motivating Audiences to Prioritize Solutions over Problems. Through this reframing process, audiences acquire skills to confidently navigate challenges, embrace new opportunities, master effective communication, and overcome imposter syndrome.
Be The Change
Adversity, and even trauma, possesses the power to fuel growth and transformation. Embrace the inevitability of change to excel both in the workplace and in your personal life. Ashley Rhodes-Courter guides audiences to navigate challenges with flexibility and an open mind amid emergencies, cultural shifts, and personal trials. Drawing from personal experiences, Ashley illustrates how tragedies can be transformed into purposeful triumphs.
Ashley Rhodes-Courter Books
Three More Words
Purchase Book
Three Little Words: A Memoir
Purchase Book
Three More Words
Purchase BookAshley Rhodes-Courter Videos
Ashley Rhodes-Courter Speaker Testimonials
“Nine years in the foster care system could ruin a kid. But [Ashley] not only survived, she’s thrived.”
- | Teen People
“The author’s ability to form intelligent, open-minded conclusions about her traumatic childhood demonstrates her remarkable control and insight, and although there are plenty of wrenching moments, she succeeds not in attracting pity but in her stated intention, of drawing attention to the children who currently share the plight that she herself overcame.”
- | Publishers Weekly
“Ashley Rhodes-Courter is triumphant in her quest to overcome insurmountable odds. I celebrate her courage to seek out the best in humanity in spite of its failings.”
- | Victoria Rowell, New York Times bestselling author of The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir
“The buzz after the luncheon was palpable ~ our guests love Ashley! She is a brilliant speaker who tells a tragic story is a poignant way yet keeps you in stitches. Brilliant! And, on a personal level, I truly enjoyed meeting such a warm and engaging young woman. I so wish she lived closer ~ I’d love to take her to lunch to thank her, celebrate her and get to know her a little better.”
- M.F. Chair, Dallas CASA |