November 3, 2017
Faith & Leadership
Healing After
Abortion & Miscarriage
Michaelene Fredenburg
President and CEO of Life Perspectives
Michaelene Fredenburg has been a non-profit executive for over 25 years founding Life Perspectives in 2000. Life Perspectives has since grown to a national organization with a number of international partners. Michaelene is considered an expert in reproductive loss having authored the book Changed: Making Sense of Your Own or A Loved One's Abortion Experience, and the booklet Changed (English, Spanish, and Italian), as well as serving as the editor of the book Grief & Abortion: Creating a Safe Place to Heal. Michaelene has written numerous articles about reproductive grief and loss and has participated in over 100 radio and television programs.
Michaelene testified before the United States House and Senate Committe hearings about the need for studies that evaluate the emotional and physical impact of all pregnancy outcomes and has presented to physician delegates from Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan through the State Department's International Visitors Program. She is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer at universities and events. Most recently Michaelene co-hosted the radio series "Life After Abortion" and developed reproductive loss curricula for licensed clinicians.
Maryanne Odom
Board Member, Life Perspectives
Maryanne Fraunces Odom holds a bachelor's degree in business administration in accounting from Southern Methodist University and is a Certified Public Accountant. After a number of years in public accounting and the banking industry, she retired to raise four children and focus on community activities. She spent over 15 years teaching Religious Education, leading adult bible studies and currently serves as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound and Alpha leader. She served as a Girl Scout Leader for eight years and served in various leadership positions with the Coppell Service Unit. Maryanne also served as a board member of the Coppell Assistance League as the Secretary and Scholarship Committee Representative for six years.
Maryanne has served on the Cistercian Preparatory School Parent Club Board in various capacities for the past 8 years. She currently serves as the President of the Board leading 30 officers in their service to the school. In 2014, along with others, Maryanne chartered a new chapter of the Young Men's Service League, a mother/son service and leadership organization. In the chapter's three-year history, Maryanne has served as the Vice President of Philanthropy and two terms as President. The chapter has 160 members and serves over 20 different philanthropies in the Dallas area. The chapter provides over 3,000 hours of community service a year. In addition, Maryanne serves as a mentor to two freshmen at Criso Rey Catholic School in Dallas.