Caring for All
November 1st, 2009 by Memphis Parent
Plainspoken, funny, passionate, kind — those are the words people use when remembering Penny Glatstein, a long-time adoption worker and family advocate who died of brain cancer on August 24th, 2009. She was 66.
As the assistant director of Jewish Family Services and director of adoptions, Glatstein worked tirelessly in the adoption arena, bringing together more than 600 families over the course of her career.
“Penny had a realistic, insightful, three-dimensional view of adoption,” comments adoption social worker Ellen Reardon, who learned much from her colleague during their 20-plus years of service. “She saw it in more depth than simply being a nice thing to do for a childless couple,” says Reardon. “Adoption affects people throughout life; it’s not just a one-time event.”
She says Glatstein was sensitive to the fact that adoption is ultimately rooted in loss — the loss of fertility for the adoptive couple, and the loss of a child by the birth mother. The time and effort required to create a new family is a bittersweet process that isn’t always “happy, happy, joy, joy,” says Reardon. “You don’t have just a shallow sense of getting a child and family together. It’s a more profound connection with people.”
“Penny was a champion for couples. Hand-holding for the adoptive family as well as the birth mother, helping her dealing with the stresses of giving up a baby,” notes Robert Silver, executive director for Jewish Family Services. “She understood both sides of the equation.”
Glatstein’s understanding went beyond the relationships she fostered. She was also a strong advocate for change in the law that made adoption more equitable for all involved.
Shaping adoption law
Penny was an advocate for making sure adoptions were done ethically,” says Michael McDonald, director of adoption maternity services at Agape Child and Family Services, who worked with her in developing the Adoption Support Center. Because of her extensive knowledge, Glatstein played a pivotal role in shaping Tennessee adoption law. “She was integral in getting those laws passed,” says McDonald.
But what McDonald admired most about his colleague was her plain-spokeness. “You also always knew where you stood with Penny. She spoke her mind, and knew how she felt about things. That was important in the establishment of the center.”
Silver says many families stay in touch to the end. “We’re distributing her work around the office,” says Silver, “but Penny will never be replaced.”