2010 Keynote Speaker

An actress, advocate, mother, a former foster child, New York Times Bestselling author, and recently appointed to the advisory board of Princeton University’s African American Studies, Victoria Rowell is currently on a national whistle-stop book tour for the release of her new memoir, “The Women Who Raised Me,” published by William Morrow/An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. The memoir received The African American Literary Award and two NAACP Image Award nominations in the literary category, and she walked away with a statuette for Outstanding Literary Work/Debut Author.

“The Women Who Raised Me,” is a New York Times  Bestseller. It also landed on the best sellers list of the Boston Globe and Essence magazine. Also, Amazon.com gives “The Women Who Raised Me”  (five stars).

The memoir is a tribute not only to the amazing women who cared for Rowell when her birth mother could not, but also to the foster care system that brought them into her life. “I was never meant to be raised by one mother, but my many,” says Rowell.

In conjunction with the release of her memoir, Rowell also highlights these amazing women in her new documentary, “The Mentor,” which has been making its rounds in the film festival circuit. “The Mentor” was chosen as official selections in the Pan African Film Festival, the Roxbury Film Festival, the Turks and Caicos Film Festival. It can be seen in March at The Miami International Film Festival and The Miami International Women’s Film Festival where Rowell is The Distinguished Guest of 2008.

A versatile actress of theatre, primetime, daytime and feature films, Rowell is known around the world for her various roles.  She is an icon in daytime television as the feisty Drucilla Winters on CBS's highly-rated daytime series, "The Young and the Restless." She has been nominated twice for a Daytime Emmy and awarded 12 NAACP Image Awards. She also co-starred in the CBS hit primetime television series “Diagnosis Murder” with Dick Van Dyke for eight seasons while simultaneously continuing her role in daytime.

Having spent eighteen years in foster care, Rowell became a passionate voice for children like herself. In 1990, she founded the Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan (RFCPP), which enriches foster children through artistic and athletic expression. In addition to facilitating job opportunities with Viacom television productions, she assisted youths in getting jobs with other companies, including BMG and Oxygen. For more information about her charity, visit www.rowellfosterchildren.org.

For additional information please visit www.victoriarowell.com

www.thewomenwhoraisedme.com, www.rowellfosterchildren.org

PHOTO CREDIT: Lesley Bohm/www.bohmphotography.com