Concerned United Birthparents (CUB) formed in Milford, Massachusetts, in 1976 under the leadership of Lee Campbell. Early active members included Mary Anne Cohen, Susan Darke, Gail Hanssen, Kathy Leahy, Joanne McDonald, Sandy Musser, and Carole Anderson. CUB was founded as a support group for "birthparents" (the term preferred by the group over "biological parents") who found it necessary to relinquish their children to adoption. However they quickly became involved in legislative reform, supporting ethical adoption laws, policies, and procedures, as well as advocating for open adoption records for adoptees and birthparents. Most early members believed that they had been stigimatized by having a child out of wedlock and then further vicitimized by a corrupt adoption system that all but kidnapped their birthchildren. CUB also provided resources to help prevent unnecessary family separations and to educate the public about the life-long impact on all who are touched by adoption. Although initially limited to birthparents, the organization grew to include adoptees, adoptive parents, siblings, and other family members. In 2003, CUB revised its mission statement to that effect.
Throughout the 1980s, CUB continued to push for adoption reform at both the state and national level. Its national headquarters had moved to Dover, New Hampshire, and then, in 1986, to Des Moines, Iowa, and, as it grew it began to sponsor local branches throughout the country, including in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara, California; Toledo, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; Boston, Massachusetts; and Kansas City, Missouri. As part of its support effort, the organization published several newsletters, including the CUB Communicator, Family Advocate, and Leaders' Journal, which included adoption and reunion stories and branch reports, as well as advertisements placed by those seeking birthparents, adopted children, or relatives. CUB also published a number of articles and pamphlets regarding various facets of the adoption process. At its height, the organization boasted as many as two thousand members. As of 2007, the organization was headquartered in Encinitas, California, and sponsored eight branches having about four hundred members.
From the guide to the Records of Concerned United Birthparents, Inc., (inclusive), (bulk), 1946-1999, 1975-1995, (Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute)
