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Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's
Angels in Adoption™ Award 2006

Sheila Ganz (right) with Senator Mary Landrieu (D. LA) at the awards ceremony in Washington, DC on September 20.  Senator Landrieu is a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

MEDIA ADVISORY: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi nominates filmmaker Sheila Ganz
for the Congressional Angels in Adoption Award

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 29, 2006 – Sheila Ganz, filmmaker of the documentary Unlocking the Heart of Adoption received the 2006 Congressional Angels in Adoption Award during ceremonies in Washington, D.C.  Recipients are nominated by U.S. Senators and House members to honor constituents who are "unsung heroes" in adoption, recognizing them for their outstanding contributions to the welfare of children in the foster-care system in this country and in orphanages abroad. The awards were presented at a certificate ceremony, which was followed by a gala dinner on September 20, by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

"I’m thrilled to be officially recognized for my work with my documentary and outreach to the national adoption community," said Ganz. "Since the film was launched on public television in 2005, I’ve received many phone calls and emails from adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents around the country who have seen Unlocking the Heart of Adoption telling me how much it means to them and thanking me for making it. When I was inspired to make the film, it was my hope that I could make a difference in the world of adoption. That people would understand adoption is a lifelong process for everyone in the adoption triad, and that the stories in the film would encourage adoption triad members, adoption professionals and the general public to understand and have greater compassion for adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents." Ganz adds, "It really is an honor. I also hope it means that the film will be seen by more people and continue to have a positive impact."

This 56 minute film bridges the gap between birth and adoptive families through diverse personal stories of adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents in same race and transracial adoptions interwoven with Ganz’s story as a birthmother revealing the enormous complexities in their lives with fascinating historical background. In 1968, twenty-year-old Sheila Ganz was raped became pregnant and unwillingly relinquished her baby for adoption. Twenty years later, she became an adoption reform advocate, was inspired to make Unlocking the Heart of Adoption and found her daughter.

This groundbreaking film is in distribution to adoption agencies, libraries, college and universities worldwide.  Professor Margaret Homans, Women, Gender and Sexual Studies, Yale University says, "Sheila’s film is a superb teaching tool for courses on adoption. This elegantly constructed documentary provides a dramatic and moving perspective on the powerful emotions surrounding adoption. Through interviews that honor all points of view, the film leads viewers into a richly dimensional understanding of the conflicts, joys and sorrows of adoption. It led to a discussion to which we will return again and again."

Ganz created a Discussion Guide and three-hour Curriculum for the film on the issues of loss and identity. For more information call 415.564.3691, or visit http://www.unlockingtheheart.com.

                                

(c) 2010 Sheila Ganz