Birthmoms who Inspire: Kate Mulgrew

Kate Mulgrew aka Captain Badass

For those of you unfamiliar with Kate Mulgrew, she is most famous for her role as general badass Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager. However, her career has spanned a long and rich history of film and theater, more recently with her portrayal of Red in Orange is the New Black.

My love of Kate Mulgrew did not actually stem from her storied physical acting career, but her voice acting one. It all started when my husband recommended that I listen to Joe Hill's book NOS4R2 on Audible. Those who know us know that we are big Stephen King fans, and Joe Hill is his son, so I was intrigued. The story is amazing and scary at the same time, made more so by the absolutely epic narration by Kate Mulgrew. I now count this book among my favorites...maybe even higher than King's (blasphemy, I know!)

NOS4R2 is narrated by Kate Mulgrew

Listening to her tell the story, I had no idea who she was, but her sultry and expressive voice lent the perfect tone for a story about a vampire and a kid who can cross long distances and into other worlds on her bicycle.

So, when her memoir Born with Teeth popped up on sale on Audible, I jumped at the chance to hear her story in her own voice. I did not know much about her at this point other than her more famous roles, and that she enjoys reading creepy novels for money.

We were early in our adoption journey when I listened to this story, and we had just completed a class where we had two birthmoms come in and speak about their own adoption journeys. It was heart wrenching. It opened my eyes to how much loss is realized on their side of the story. I always knew this was no easy thing, but hearing it from their hearts was just what I needed.

Kate Mulgrew's Memoir

So, when Kate finds herself unexpectedly with child during a critical time in her acting career, she makes the absolutely brutal decision to find an adoptive family. This story happened during a time when open adoption was pretty much unheard of. A child was born and taken from their mother right away, with records sealed and secrets abounding. Kate's experience is very difficult to hear as she goes through the fear, regret, and hope that can plague a birthmother.

"I had fears about telling my story, fears about the judgment of it. I felt shame, and I had a huge degree of inexpressible regret. Specifically, I would have tried harder to keep my daughter. I was young and so wanted my life as an actress." ~Kate Mulgrew

I won't give it all away in case you'd like to read it, but there is a reunion with her child later in the story that reminds you of the bond that remains between a child and the woman who birthed them, even if that woman does not parent them.


Do you have a birthmom who inspires you?