Danna Powell Cousins, Skip of 1986

MAY ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT
Danna Powell Cousins, Skip of 1986

In what ways did your Ursuline education prepare you for the work you’re doing now?

My Ursuline education prepared me for the work that I have done for over 20 years by offering me a foundation of respect, honor and the goal of serving every individual with compassion and integrity no matter what specific circumstances are presented. As a social worker and employed as the Program Director for Adoption Services, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans I have the honor of to provide services to expectant parents who are exploring decisions for their child’s future, families that hope to create their family through adoption, both domestically and internationally, as well as individuals that were touched by adoption as far back as the early 1900s.  My 4 years at Ursuline Academy cultivated a foundation for guidance, support, and family that was rooted in the rich history and tradition the Ursuline sisters created so many years earlier.

Please describe the most significant value you learned from Ursuline Academy.

Ursuline Academy taught me courage and determination, especially when I need it most. I believe it is this same courage and determination that Ursuline instilled in me that led me to where I am today and continues to guide me on my daily journeys.

Describe Ursuline in one word. – I continue to attempt to live this everyday in all that I do as well as encourage it in my children’s development.

Serviam

ABOUT DANNA POWELL COUSINS

Danna Powell Cousins, LMSW is a social worker / Program Director for Adoption Services, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1986 (Skips) and completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology / Sociology from Loyola University. Danna began her service in the maternity and adoption field in 1990’s when she began working at Associated Catholic Charities in New Orleans. At this time, Danna worked primarily with maternity clients, coordinating services for expectant parents who were considering adoption. It was around this same time that many expectant parents began to request more “openness” in adoption.  Because of this, Danna became a true advocate for open adoption at a time when the concept was very new to the New Orleans area. Danna left her position with Associated Catholic Charities in 1994 to create an open adoption program with Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans. Although she continued to advocate for birth parents, she became focused on educating adoptive families about the many benefits of open adoption. Danna directed the Maternity and Adoption Program of Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans for 10 years. In 2004, Danna “returned home” to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, as the Program Director for Adoption Services. It was a time to bring renewal and open adoption services to the existing adoption program. Danna continues to work with families pursuing a domestic or international adoption.

Over the years, Danna has provided service to all members of the adoption triad. She has assisted many birth parents and adopted families create life-long relationships as well as providing counseling support services for searching and reunion for adoptions that dating back to the early 1900s.

Danna has served on the Louisiana Adoption Advisory Board, an adoption advocacy group, as well as previously serving on the Advisory Committee on Licensing Child Care Facilities and Child Placing Agencies. She has presented as a featured speaker for several local adoption conferences.

In 2007, Danna returned to Tulane School of Social Work full time while continuing to work full time to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work as well as a Certificate in Disaster Mental Health. This was a gift to herself for a “special” birthday” and a commitment to continue serving members of the adoption community. This experience required much of that courage and determination that was provided by Ursuline Academy in the 1980’s.

Danna was recently nominated to the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)’s “Angel in Adoption” Program which provides a unique opportunity for Members of Congress to honor an individual or entity that has made an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes – “ordinary people doing extraordinary things”. She was selected and travelled to Washington, DC this past October to accept the “Angel in Adoption” Award from Senators Landrieu and Vitter. Danna says she was “truly humbled to receive this honor” – she has provided adoption related services for over 20 years and cannot imagine working in any other field. For Danna this honor was both a tremendous professional, as well as a personal honor. Danna shares thanks to each of the birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees that have been a special part of her 20+ year journey – they are all true blessings that have forever touched her through the experience of adoption, both domestically and internationally.

Danna and her husband, Craig, have two beautiful children, Elizabeth, age 15, and Benjamin, age 14.  They reside in Metairie, Louisiana.