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Richard Klarberg's Conference Introductions and Comments
Marcia Robinson Lowry Introduction
Juan Sanchez Introduction
Conference Closing Remarks

Marcia Robinson Lowry
Monday, August 10th, 9:00 - 10:30 AM

Marcia Robinson Lowry has dedicated her legal career to protecting the rights of children. Before founding Children’s Rights as an independent organization in 1995, Ms. Lowry served as director of the Children’s Rights Projects of the New York Civil Liberties Union and of the American Civil Liberties Union. She has pioneered a body of law to protect children dependent on child welfare systems, developing realistic, long-term solutions to improve the lives of abused and neglected children across the country.

In 2000, Nina Bernstein highlighted Ms. Lowry’s work in New York City with the publication of The Lost Children of Wilder: the Epic Struggle to Change Foster Care. The book explores the background and aftermath of the landmark 1973 Wilder lawsuit, filed to reform New York City’s inadequate child welfare system.

Ms. Lowry speaks across the country about child welfare reform, has testified before congressional committees, and is the author of several articles. She received her B.S. from Northwestern University and received her J.D. from the New York University School of Law.

Kyle Maynard was born with a condition known as congenital amputation, which left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees. His story begins as a 12-year-old who wanted to wrestle and a coach who gave him an opportunity to try.

After losing every single match his first year and most in his second, Kyle became a successful varsity wrestler, defeating state place finishers and state champions during his final season. In November 2003, he attained the unofficial title of the World’s Strongest Teen at the GNC Show-of-Strength. Two years later, he set the world record in the modified bench press.

But Maynard’s accomplishments extend far beyond his physical strength. With basically two elbows, he can type up to fifty words-per-minute, eat and write without any adaptations, and drive a vehicle that has little modification. Kyle is known for an indomitable and determined spirit and his story has been an inspiration to countless people around the world.

He has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, ABC’s 20/20, Good Morning America, the CBS Early Show, and as a cover story in USA Today. He has also been featured on HBO Real Sports, Spike TV, as well as countless local and regional TV shows and in print. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller No Excuses, is working on producing his own television series, and is the subject of a forthcoming documentary, A Fighting Chance.

Dr. Juan Sánchez has dedicated his life to helping young men and women—particularly those who are poor and of color—recognize the power of education and prepare for success in their lives. He grew up in one of the poorest barrios in a South Texas border town where life was full of challenges. After receiving his B.A. from St. Mary’s College and a Ph.D. from the School of Education at Harvard University, he returned to Texas. There, he founded Southwest Key Programs, one of the largest Hispanic-led nonprofit organizations in the country.

Southwest Key’s 55 programs around the country tackle the root causes of youth crime, unemployment, and school failure. Its alternative schools have prevented hundreds of youth from dropping out of school and provided them with individualized education in a therapeutic setting. Southwest Key has also reunified thousands of immigrant children with their families and provided these unaccompanied minors with 24-hour care, education, and medical and clinical services in ten shelters along the southern U.S. border. Southwest Key is currently constructing its first community development and social enterprise campus in Austin, Texas. In the summer of 2008, Southwest Key was nationally accredited by COA.

Michele T. Bond has been the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services since July 2007. Previously, she was the Director of the Office of Policy Coordination and Public Outreach in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. She has also served as Managing Director of Overseas Citizens Services.

Ms. Bond joined the Foreign Service in 1977 and has served in Guatemala, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, and The Netherlands. Her most recent overseas assignment was as Consul General in Amsterdam. She graduated with honors from Wellesley College and has Masters Degrees from Georgetown University and the National War College.