Carol Shoemaker - Skeletons in the Closet

Carol Shoemaker is the mother of six children, author of 'Skeletons in the Closet', an autobiography, and has a BA in e Human Services.  She dedicated her book to the memory of her youngest son, Enrique Sanchez, who lost his life while in the National Guard (2002).  Carol is a two-time veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Pentagon during Viet Nam and again in Germany (1978-80).  She is a member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, National Native American Veterans Association, as well as the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi (Cherokees of Texas), Austin Film Society and National Academy of Native American Arts Society (NANAAS.)

Ms. Shoemaker is a dual citizen of the United States and Israel.   A highlight of her trip to Israel was when asked to deliver a message, from the children of K’far Adumim, to Hilary Clinton in Jerusalem, during the Peace Conference, held in Jordan (1994). Upon returning to the U.S., she had the honor of writing the online biography of Michael Landon, for the Michael Landon International Internet Fan Club.

She would like to film a documentary featuring the plight of adult adoptees, in their fight to secure their ’original’ birth certificates’. Righting wrongs is a passion of Carol, whose original name was Carolyn Jean Spang (also spelled Spong).  Carol was born 6-12-1946 and in foster care and raised in an abusive home. She later found her birth relatives but not all the truth. In 1995, she learned that she was ‘Cherokee, from the Ani Tsisqua (Bird) Clan but would ‘have to prove it’.    In 2010, Carol connected, through DNA, to a cousin, who is also an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.    Her journey has been a painful, yet rewarding experience.      She was told in 1992 that she had a sister.  She still searches for her sister.