Honorary Degree Bestowed On CEO Of Life Perspectives

    STERLING, VA, April 21, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Life Perspectives®, the global leader in education, research, expertise and support after reproductive loss including miscarriage and abortion, without religious or political affiliation, today announced, along with Divine Mercy University (DMU), a graduate school of psychology and counseling dedicated to the scientific study of psychology, that Life Perspectives' CEO, Michaelene Fredenburg, would receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris clausa, from the University. Fredenburg was also tapped to be the 2021 commencement speaker for this year's graduating class.

"We wanted to recognize Michaelene's decades of work in fulfilling a vital need by supporting those suffering from pregnancy loss," said Fr. Charles Sikorsky, LC, JD, JCL, president of Divine Mercy University. "Her efforts to help those grieving after reproductive loss are unprecedented and have had an enormous and positive ripple effect."

Fredenburg is the founder, president and CEO of Life Perspectives. Life Perspectives brings to light the widespread need for help that is faced by the millions impacted by miscarriage, abortion and other reproductive losses. Life Perspectives changes the way that people think and talk about pregnancy loss and creates traditions that focus on healing, remembrance and hope. Life Perspectives offers a safe place for those impacted, to receive the support that they need.

"I am so grateful and appreciative of this honor," said Fredenburg. "I am thrilled to be recognized as a catalyst in changing our culture's perceptions and reactions to pregnancy loss." As one of the world's foremost experts on reproductive grief care, Michaelene Fredenburg has been interviewed on more than 100 radio and television programs discussing grief after pregnancy loss. Fredenburg is author of the book Changed: Making Sense of Your Own or A Loved One's Abortion Experience (available in English, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Ukrainian) and the booklet "Hope after Loss" that discusses miscarriage. Fredenburg is also editor of Grief and Abortion: Creating a Safe Place to Heal and has written numerous articles about reproductive grief and loss. She has also testified before Congress and presented to delegates from across the globe.

"There are so many people who live with deep, unresolved wounds as a result of pregnancy loss," said Fredenburg. "I am honored to be recognized for my efforts to make it culturally acceptable to acknowledge and listen to those who are impacted."

According to Life Perspectives, two million couples experience reproductive loss in the U.S. each year – with one out of four pregnancies ending in miscarriage and one out of four women undergoing an abortion by the age of 45. Although each of these losses occur very differently, and feelings about them are as unique as fingerprints, those who do grieve after pregnancy loss often suffer silent and alone.

"Divine Mercy University has the deepest respect for Michaelene and her work," added Sikorsky. "Our mission at DMU aligns with her goal - to provide refuge and compassion for families, while respecting their dignity and mental wellbeing. We are pleased to offer Michaelene this well-deserved honorary degree and commencement speaker opportunity."

COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

In addition to bestowing an honorary degree upon Fredenburg, Divine Mercy University has also offered Fredenburg the role of commencement speaker for the graduation class of 2021.

When:
Friday, May 7th
2:00 – 5:00 PM ET

Where:
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church
46833 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling, VA 20164

Watch Live:
Divine Mercy University's YouTube page: youtube.com/c/DivineMercyUniversity/

ABOUT DIVINE MERCY UNIVERSITY

Divine Mercy University (DMU) is a Catholic graduate institution of higher education offering degree programs in psychology and counseling. Founded in 1999 as the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, the university is dedicated to the scientific study of psychology with a Catholic understanding of the human person, marriage, and the family. The university offers Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Psychology and Counseling, and a Doctoral (Psy.D.) degree in Clinical Psychology. Divine Mercy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award masters and doctorate degrees. For more information, visit https://divinemercy.edu.

ABOUT LIFE PERSPECTIVES

Life Perspectives® is the global leader in education, research, expertise and support after reproductive loss including miscarriage and abortion, without religious or political affiliation. Life Perspectives provides training and resources to health professionals including hospitals, medical professionals, therapists, social workers and pregnancy centers, as well as community and faith leaders.

Life Perspectives is also nationally accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) as a Continuing Education Provider. Life Perspectives is also approved by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. Life Perspectives is at the forefront of creating impartial and impactful research to understand the way individuals process reproductive losses, and to establish global standards for offering compassionate care. Life Perspectives also offers a safe place, without religious or political affiliation, for those impacted by miscarriage and abortion at MiscarriageHurts.com® and AbortionChangesYou.com®. Life Perspectives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

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