About the Staff
Richard Boas | MD, Founder and Director
I feel strongly about making the world a better place, and am motivated by a sense of integrity, fairness and working for social justice. I am passionate about helping Korea positively and effectively addressing the situation of unwed mothers, the vast majority of whom relinquish their children to adoption, the rest facing discrimination. I am trying to catalyze a uniquely Korean solution, so these moms and their kids will be treated as equals. Moreover, I am persistent. The picture was taken in Mt. Seorak Park. When I am not working for unwed moms, I am with my family--or on the trail!
Ellen Furnari | MSW, Consultant
The reasonable woman adapts herself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to herself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable woman. (George Bernard Shaw) I have a background in social change work and philanthropy and am honored to be part of the efforts to build support and acceptance for unwed moms in Korea. I hope our collective desire to adapt society to their needs will be successful.
Kwon, Hee-Jung | Project Coordinator
While I was writing my PhD thesis about divorce and the changes of Korean family, I became involved in working for the rights of unwed mothers. Even though I had been fascinated by anthropology and gender studies, which opened my eyes to something invisible, I had never seen the women referred to as unwed mothers. I believe that happiness is moving forward. Even if nothing is changed before I die, I will do what I feel like doing and what seems to be right until I die.
Jang, Ik-Su | Webmaster
Whoever tries to initiate spiritual sharing and communication with others can make real society a better place in which to live. I would like to fill this kind of role in Korean society. Through ICT (Information and Communication Technology), I would like to raise society’s awareness of marginalized peoples.
Yoo, Ji Young | Artist, Web Team
When I was in the U.S., I worked for an organization for immigrants. Through this work, I learned very much about social injustices such as racism, heterosexism, sexism, ageism, and classism. After moving back to Korea, I wanted work on the many issues that Korean society faces, however, I decided to fight for unwed mothers because of the serious discrimination against women rooted in sexism, patriarchy, and heterosexism. I am honored to work for this struggle.
