New queen to urge open adoption laws
New Miss Oklahoma to urge open adoption laws

By The Associated Press
Published: June 9, 2008

When Kelsey Cartwright's father wanted to learn about his biological parents, he learned the papers that would tell him who had put him up for adoption were sealed from his eyes.

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"We worked for a few years to get it open,” Cartwright said Sunday, a day after being crowned Miss Oklahoma at the 36th annual scholarship pageant in Tulsa.

Cartwright said she will use her father's experience during her yearlong reign as she promotes open adoptions during appearances at schools and before civic groups across the state.

Cartwright, the 20-year-old daughter of William and Kelli Cartwright, said her father's search for his past was confusing and frustrating.

"You never know what to do next,” said Cartwright, of Collinsville. Oklahoma has closed adoption laws and procedural and legal barriers keep adoption records sealed — even from adopted individuals who want to know the truth about their biological parents and their own heritage, she said.

"You're stuck with that. But there are steps you can take to get your file open,” Cartwright said.

Taking steps to history
State law requires a court order before an adoptee can access their personal information including details about the adoption itself, birth certificates, medical history and identifying information about the birth parents.

After years of effort, William Cartwright secured access to his personal adoption records, Kelsey Cartwright said. They revealed that he is part American Indian and part Hispanic and that his real last name is Mendoza.

Cartwright said opening her father's adoption file "was an amazing experience for our entire family.” It strengthened her father's respect for himself and filled them both with pride, she said.

Preparing for next goal
Cartwright, a student at Oklahoma City University where she is majoring in dance management, said she will start delivering her message about open adoptions when she begins making personal appearances in September.

Until then, she said she will begin preparing herself for her next goal — winning the Miss America pageant in January.

"I'm going in there for the crown,” she said. "I'm ready to finish what we started.”

Cartwright, who qualified for the Miss Oklahoma pageant as Miss Keystone Lake and received a $16,000 scholarship for winning, said she hopes to join a growing list of Miss Oklahomas who have gone on to become Miss America.

In 2006, Jennifer Berry of Tulsa won the pageant in the first of back-to-back wins by Miss Oklahomas. Berry was succeeded in 2007 by former Miss Oklahoma Lauren Nelson of Lawton.

"I am so honored to be representing the state. I'm going to put my best foot forward,” she said. "I hope I can make a great impact on all of our students and the people of Oklahoma.”


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Jim in Bethany...I find it funny that you read about Miss Oklahoma but then make fun of her.
Beth, Oklahoma City - Jun 11, 2008 5:10 PM
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Even "open adoption" does not restore the rights of adult adoptees to their original birth certificates. There are no laws which guarantee that an so-called "open adoption" remain opened, and every adoption is "sealed" in court, regardless if it is considered "open" or "closed" at the time of finalization.

True, true, true!

Every adoption starts with a FALSIFIED birth certificate which states that the adoptee was "born to" his adoptive parents. This is state committed fraud and MUST STOP!

But Hooray for kelsey for brining light to the issue of rights denied those adopted and their families of origins.

Guthrie - grow up. Can biological birth processes ever be anything other than REAL??
Mirah, Dayton - Jun 10, 2008 1:41 AM
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"....and that his real last name is Mendoza" I can't believe in this decade anyone would still make a silly statement like that. It is unclear if that statement is from Cartwright, or the author of the article but both should know better. Mr. Cartwright's "real" last name is Cartwright. Mendoza is either his biological parent's last name, or perhaps his birth name.
B, Guthrie - Jun 9, 2008 10:08 PM
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As an adult adoptee I am glad to see Miss OK speak to such an important issue for so many Americans. Six U.S. States have passed legislation which restores adult adoptees with the same right as other citizens to their original birth certificate. Adult adoptees are the only US citizens who do not have the right to their own genealogical, medical histories, identity, and birth information. As Kelsey experienced, this issue not only affects adoptees, but also their children and grandchildren. Even "open adoption" does not restore the rights of adult adoptees to their original birth certificates. There are no laws which guarantee that an so-called "open adoption" remain opened, and every adoption is "sealed" in court, regardless if it is considered "open" or "closed" at the time of finalization. The only thing that will guarantee ALL adult adoptees the right to their heritage and identity, is for unconditional access to their original birth certificate. The American Adoption Congress has updated information and statistics regarding this important issue. Thank you, Kelsey, for bringing attention to this important issue.
- Jun 9, 2008 2:12 PM
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Good Job, Kelsey! What a worthy cause to promote. So good to have you bring this problem to the public. I also hope you plan to encourage adoptions!
Cheryl - Jun 9, 2008 12:37 PM
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Shouldn't Miss Oklahoma be more concerned with what dress to wear?
Jim, Bethany - Jun 9, 2008 12:08 PM
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Kali, oak view - Jun 9, 2008 11:13 AM
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I wanted to make some corrections about this article. Even in "open adoptions" the records still remain sealed.

Open Adoptions do nothing for sealed records and adult adoptees. Adoptees are still faced with the discrimination.

Many of us are gathering this July 22, 2008 in New Orleans at the Annual State Legislatures Convention protesting our sealed records in front of the very people who have the power to unseal them.

Please join us! We have reserved a booth inside the legislatures convention and will have 2.5 days of one on one time educating legislatures and their worker bees on our issue, the necessity of restoring the equality of adoptees by giving us unconditional access to our birth certificates.

Join us!

www.AdopteeRights.net
Kali, oak view - Jun 9, 2008 11:13 AM
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