Ms. Smerdon is the adoptive mother of two children from India who inspired her to become a passionate advocate for adoption reform and ethics. She has been a volunteer for Ethica since 2004, most recently performing legal research for the organization. Ms. Smerdon regularly contributes to adoption education efforts, having written several articles for prospective and current adoptive parents on the topic of racism. She co-founded a local adoption support group for families who have adopted internationally. Ms. Smerdon considers herself an active learner in the field of adoption education, supporting the voices of adult adoptees and organizations concerned with sustaining ethical alternatives to international adoption.