Gloria Parker

Gloria Parker was born in 1950, at what was the beginning of one of the most changing of times for women. She braved her way through home-economics classes, learning to cook and sew, training for marriage. But for her, the 60’s presented the possibility of having it all— marriage and a stimulating career. She achieved both goals, became a wife and a moderately successful actress.

Between takes and marriages, Gloria further expressed her creativity through writing, called to it by her love for words. She wrote Woman’s Gym, a play about the California body obsession, and then River Bed Motel, a heart-wrenching story of displaced persons making their home at the edge of a river. She went on to work writing for a TV series and served as editor of one of the largest directories in the music industry.

Her fondest dream, however, was to write the story about her child’s struggles and ultimate triumphs, but could not find a proper voice, until her dear friends, Frank (Angela’s Ashes) and Ellen McCourt, were visiting one weekend. She proffered a draft of Robyn’s story for Frank to read. He recognized her skill and the profound impact of her poignant memories and encouraged her to find the voice in which she now shares Robyn’s transformative story.