BARBARA TUCKER PEARSON
GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT AWARD

The Board of Directors of the Adoption Exchange Association created the Generosity of Spirit Award in 2008 to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to AEA, and to acknowledge that the organization’s success is shared by many people, past and present.

In 2011, AEA gratefully awards the Generosity of Spirit posthumously to Barbara Tucker Pearson, MSW.  The award is being accepted by Barbara’s husband, Paul Pearson.

Barbara Tucker Pearson’s long career culminated in 20 years as Director of the Northwest Adoption Exchange, a regional exchange serving five western states.  Barbara was an active member of the AEA Board of Directors from 2000 to 2010.  She was also a leader in the Collaboration to AdoptUSKids from the project’s start.  Barbara loved her role in AdoptUSKids and continued even after her desire to spend more time with family made her choose to give up other job responsibilities. 

Everyone who knew Barbara has a wonderful story to tell.  She believed in building bridges across the boundaries of agencies, states, lifestyles, race, religion and cultural interests.  She believed in collaborating beyond borders to find and bring our best talents and our best ideas to benefit the children and families who adopt them.  She inspired each of us to strive for the unique qualities of warmth, professionalism, and leadership that graced Barbara’s days on earth.  She is greatly missed, both professionally and personally, by her colleagues.

In the spring of 2011, following Barbara Tucker Pearson’s death, the AEA Board of Directors renamed the award to the Barbara Tucker Pearson Generosity of Spirit Award to honor Barbara’s life.

Please consider making a contribution to this award in memory of Barbara Tucker Pearson and in support of individuals who are dedicated to furthering the mission of AEA.