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. Early in her life she felt compelled to advocate for herself and the other children she lived with, particularly in the abusive foster homes.

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 New York Times bestseller. Her memoirs have been adopted in many curricula and in community and First Year Experience Collegiate programs.

A licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ashley founded The Foundation for Sustainable Families, a non-profit dedicated to serving children, women, teens and their families. Her powerful story of resilience, philanthropy, and overcoming hardships resonates with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

She and her husband have cared for more than 25 children, deepening her perspective on parenting and the healing power of love. They are the proud parents to two biological children, and one special child adopted from foster care.

Ashley has won national and international awards for her speaking, advocacy, and philanthropy. She has spoken on Capitol Hill and has been invited to the White House twice. Three Little Words is now being made into a major motion picture.