Who is who

[Who's who]

Currently KUMSN is in the process of being a Korea NGO and temporary office is being operated.

Director Angela Kang

Executive Director : Heo, Nan-young

Staff : Han, Seung-Hee, Kang, Eun-Joo

◆ Former KUMSN (March 2007 to April 2012) ◆

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 | Executive Director

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.

Yoo, Ji Young | Artist, Staff

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.

Seung-Hee Han | Staff

It is very important to have a life full of worth and value, however, I am never satisfied if I only try to tend to my own needs and wants. True satisfaction comes only when I help others in their needs. This is why I put value in my relationships with unwed mothers and the Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network. My goal is to work hard against injustice and unfairness to these women.

Eun-Joo Kang | Staff

Would like to be a part of a movement to build the world where people communicate and share things together without any discrimination. I believe that better quality of life for people will be possible when minorities are not discriminated. I am happy to contribute my knowledge of media to change society to a direction that people live with no discrimination.

Seul-gi Lee | Staff

"We are never really happy until we try to brighten the lives of others."- (Helen Adams Keller)

I am really happy because I am trying to brighten the lives of unwed mothers. Also, I want to fight for the equality of all people regardless of their gender. While I was a junior in college I became involved with KUMSN and it was milestone in my life. From then on, I have devoted myself to help unwed mothers who suffer from stigma and all kinds of inequality.

This text was proof read by a volunteer of Kumsn, Gregory Magofna.