Quirkyalone

Warning: This post about a little-known scholarship for single parents may make you cry

Feb 26, 2009 - Written by Sasha Cagen  |  Filed under: Parenting, Personal Growth

Every so often, something random and serendipitous happens that lifts my heart and makes me feel more hopeful about humanity. A few weeks ago, I was reading the corporate bios describing the founding team of the company where I work at my “regular job.” In addition to 25 years of corporate experience, Dianna Mullins mentioned that she is “the founder of the Beverly Mullins Scholarship fund at UC Berkeley, giving scholarships to single parents for the past six years.” Intrigued, I sent her an email saying “Cool! What’s that all about?” Later I buttonholed Dianna in the corporate kitchen and she explained.

Continue Reading →

File Under Shock and Awe: Arkansas Bans Single People from Becoming Foster Parents

Nov 29, 2008 - Written by Sasha Cagen  |  Filed under: Uncategorized

Perhaps I was too jubilant over Obama’s victory to notice. . . not only did Californians vote to take away the rights of same-sex partners to marry, voters in Arkansas voted to ban single people from acting as foster parents. Meanwhile,  the state never has anywhere near enough homes for children in the state’s care. I am really shocked. Are we living in 2008, or 1962?

From the Detroit Free Press: “In Arkansas, voters decided that gay and lesbian parents should not be allowed to adopt or act as foster parents by restricting those activities to married couples.”

Sceaarrrrrry.