Jenny Brackman is probably the most selfless woman I have ever had the privilege to know. As the eldest of seven children, she was born to be a courageous and nurturing leader. More than being an older sister to me, she became something of a motherly figure in my life when our mother was stricken with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis. Only 14, Jenny stepped into the maternal leadership role and helped hold our family together during those arduous years. Perhaps it was this experience that inspired her to dedicate her life—and not just Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, mind you, but every minute of every day—to caring for, nurturing, and fiercely loving children, even those who were not her biological offspring. Throughout her life, she has cared for children in foster care and always wanted to adopt a child. After having two beautiful children, she still felt drawn to adopting from within the Arizona foster care system. Originally, she and her husband Joe had planned on adopting one baby; but, as life would have it, an opportunity arose for them to adopt three siblings. Rather than dismissing this opportunity due to the enormity of the task, they greeted it with open arms; just last month, Jenny more than doubled her number of children. What amazes me most about her is that when three children demonstrated a need for a loving family, she rescued them all because adoption has never been about her, but about plucking children out of terrible situations. More than providing for their material needs, Jenny makes sure that each and every child feels cared for and loved. Over time, the adopted kids have slowly let their walls come down as they realized that Jenny’s home is truly one where they could be safe and loved. I see now the way they look at her with those trusting eyes and call her “Mommy.” Now, she is the one they run to when they have a scraped knee, a grumbling stomach, or a hand that needs to be held. What makes Jenny wonderful is not just this singular act of incredible self-sacrifice, but her lifetime of living for others.

Signed,
Julianna Roberts