About Rev. Dr. Janine Vance, Philosophy
Rev. Dr. Janine Vance is a philosopher, researcher, historian, and author whose work has significantly impacted the field of adoption and human rights. Her upcoming projects include the Adoptopia Exhibit at AdoptionHistory.org and the Adoption History Textbook, also available on audiobook titled Adoption: What You Should Know. These works aim to educate and inform the public about overseas adoption's complexities and historical context.
Vance’s evolutionary journey into the world of adoption began with her first memoir, Twins Found in a Box: Adapting to Adoption (2003), which chronicles her personal childhood experience surrounding issues of her adoptive parents, most notably, her adoptive father’s traumatic brain injury in 1984. This was followed by The Search for Mother Missing: A Peek Inside International Adoption (2007), where she and her twin sister travel to South Korea to uncover their roots and inadvertently find the hidden voices of other Korean-born adoptees.
Other Books, Projects, and Exhibits:
In 2011, Janine and her twin sister, known as the Vance Twins, established the Adoption Truth & Transparency Worldwide Information Network (ATTWIN), a forum that discusses adoption from the point of view of adopted people around the world, families severed by adoption, and parents of loss. It is now one of the largest adoptee-led groups on social media. Vance’s research continued with Adoptionland: From Orphans to Activists and The Unknown Culture Club: Korean Adoptees, Then and Now, anthologies that gather stories from adoptees worldwide, highlighting their diverse experiences and the systemic issues within the adoption industry.
Janine’s work is rooted in inherent and natural human rights over the legal sale and commodification of children. Janine has also authored the Adoption Dossier, a comprehensive resource intended for human rights organizations, and organized the Adoption Trafficking Awareness Symposium for Against Child Trafficking (ACT) and ACT USA to combat child trafficking and raise awareness about the darker aspects of adoption practices. She wrote Master Adoption: Claim Your Authentic Power for adopted people to reclaim their authentic power. Janine’s dedication to raising awareness and advocating for justice from the adoption industry is evident in her extensive career.
In addition to her adoption-related books, Janine has also written books on self-empowerment and mindfulness based on her training in Eastern philosophy, titled Going Back to Zen, The Power of Isolation, and forthcoming Rise from the Dread. These works reflect tips and strategies for comfort, care, and peace, offering insights into the power of solitude and the importance of self-awareness.
Janine Vance’s evolution from a philosopher to a curator for AdoptionHistory.org and an activist is a testament to her dedication to uncovering the truths about international adoption and advocating for equal rights of adopted people worldwide.
Notable accomplishments:
2010 - 2011: Feature Length Screenplays for Option: For the Love of Children | Colorblind | Forever Family | Rebirth | All for Mom | Identity Crisis
CATEGORIES:
HISTORY & SOCIAL ISSUES > Adoption History: An Adoptee’s Research Into Child Trafficking (Textbook Edition) International Book Awards Finalist 2024 | Hollywood Bookfest 2023 | Honorable Mention | Independent Author Network 2023 Winner | Readers’ Favorite 2019 Silver Recipient
ADVENTURE > The Search for Mother Missing: A Peek Inside International Adoption (award winner) Global Book Awards Gold Recipient 2023 | Top Shelf Books 2020 1st Place | Readers’ Favorite 2019 Gold Recipient
COMING-OF-AGE & RELIGIOUS TO SPIRITUAL > Twins Found in a Box: Adapting to Adoption Readers’ Favorite 2019 Gold Recipient
FULL-TIME CAREGIVER: Janine served as the primary caregiver for her adoptive father, who survived a 100-foot hang gliding fall, resulting in a traumatic brain injury in 1984 until he passed away in 2021 at the age of 90.
For Book Reviews
A memoir-writing consultant and book doctor, Janine's passion includes book development and design. Janine believes that everyone has an important story to share, and history needs to be written by the people most impacted by it. Readers have called Vance’s books "great help when things are spiraling," "peaceful," "a gentle reminder," "uplifting," and "highly recommended."
