Beating The Odds After Foster Care With Cordelia Cranshaw
In this episode, I am joined by Miss District of Columbia USA 2019, Cordelia Cranshaw, who spent her childhood in and out of the US Foster Care System – an upbringing that meant she didn't have a real home. Instead of letting her circumstances define her, Cordelia used her experiences as fuel to transform her life and those around her.
Transformation is often about finding your way home; but what does that mean when you have never had a real home? How do you find your way there?
My guest on the show had to answer these questions on her own, after spending her childhood in and out of the US Foster Care System. Instead of letting her circumstances define her, Cordelia Cranshaw used her experiences as fuel to transform her life and the lives of those around her. After aging out of Foster Care, she went on to earn a Masters of Social Work degree at age 22 and was named Miss District of Columbia USA 2019. Today, she is a social worker and child welfare advocate, and runs her own organization “Acts of Random Kindness” with a mission of helping individuals in similar situations experience their own life transformations.
My guest on the show had to answer these questions on her own, after spending her childhood in and out of the US Foster Care System. Instead of letting her circumstances define her, Cordelia Cranshaw used her experiences as fuel to transform her life and the lives of those around her. After aging out of Foster Care, she went on to earn a Masters of Social Work degree at age 22 and was named Miss District of Columbia USA 2019. Today, she is a social worker and child welfare advocate, and runs her own organization “Acts of Random Kindness” with a mission of helping individuals in similar situations experience their own life transformations.
In this episode, she shares her honest and true story.
Show notes:
Show notes:
- Cordelia introduces herself to the listeners. [2:49]
- The experience of entering foster care at 5 years old and 14 years old is discussed. [5:35]
- Emotions Cordelia felt during her time in the different homes are touched on. [9:47]
- At 14, Cordelia had to re-enter foster care. She discusses this experience. [13:34]
- Her journey after being made a ward of court is explained. [17:45]
- Cordelia was Miss District of Columbia 2019. Her discovery of pageants and the power they had in her life is touched on. [20:41]
- Cordelia discusses the work she is doing as a social worker. [26:37]
- Advocacy work and the organization Cordelia founded, ‘Acts of Random Kindness’ is explored. [28:32]
- Advice Cordelia would give to her young self is given. [31:07]
- Cordelia’s purpose and work as a social worker is described. [32:29]
- The biggest transformation Cordelia has seen within herself is expressed. [36:33]
- Advice for those in the foster system or those who were once in the foster system is given. [41:09]
- Cordelia tells us where we can connect with her and her organizations. [42:42]