Simone Biles, a name synonymous with gymnastic excellence, captivated the world with her breathtaking performances and unwavering spirit. During Women’s History Month, it’s crucial to recognize women like Simone who embody strength and resilience, mirroring the mission of organizations like Beech Acres. While the world marvels at her athletic achievements, a lesser-known chapter of Simone’s life – her experience in foster care – adds another layer to her inspiring journey.
Biles’ journey to becoming a gymnastics icon is intertwined with her early life experiences. Her creativity and unparalleled skill in gymnastics have led to some of the most memorable routines in the sport’s history. Fans globally eagerly anticipated her participation in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. However, when faced with unforeseen challenges on this grand stage, Simone demonstrated strength in a different, equally impactful way. Her courage to openly address these issues resonated deeply, particularly with young women, underscoring the significance of honesty and perseverance in personal growth.
Simone’s influence extends beyond the gymnastics arena. She has become a vocal advocate for mental health and safety, using her platform to raise awareness and encourage open conversations. When President Biden bestowed upon her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022, it felt like a national acknowledgment of gratitude for the invaluable lessons she has imparted.
Simone Biles at the Olympics, showcasing her gymnastic talent and strength
Beyond her athletic achievements and advocacy, Simone’s personal history includes time spent in foster care. This experience profoundly shaped her life, and she now uses her story to educate and inspire. Simone emphasizes the importance of understanding her complete identity, which includes her journey as a foster child.
At the young age of three, Simone and her siblings entered the foster care system due to their biological mother’s struggles with substance abuse. They remained in foster care for three formative years. During this time, they maintained a connection with their maternal grandfather, Ron, and his wife, Nellie, who provided visits and eventually became a pivotal part of their lives through kinship care. Kinship care, a practice championed by organizations like Beech Acres, places foster children with relatives, fostering stability and love within a family context. Simone’s experience reflects the reality of over 2 million children who experience kinship care in the United States daily.
Reflecting on her foster care experience, Simone shared with USA Today in 2021, “I was very, very blessed and fortunate. I felt love, care. I was healthy. I was safe.” This positive experience within foster care and kinship care laid the foundation for her future success.
Ultimately, Simone and her siblings were adopted by Ron and Nellie. She openly acknowledges the immense impact her grandparents, now her parents, had on her life and achievements. “Having my parents and that support made me who I am today,” Simone stated. “Being separated from my biological mom, being placed in foster care before I officially got adopted by my grandparents, it just set me up for a better route at life. I’m forever grateful for that because I definitely got a second shot at life.”
Today, Simone actively engages with foster children across the nation, finding deep fulfillment in these interactions. “You see their eyes light up and it’s super exciting because they realize I was in their exact position.” She offers encouragement and a message of hope: “I tell them that they’re not alone and that it’s going to be OK. That you can still be great in the world,” she shared with USA Today. “Being in foster care isn’t going to be your only title.”
Simone Biles’ story is a powerful testament to resilience, demonstrating that background does not define destiny. Her journey from foster care to Olympic stardom inspires us all to recognize the strength within ourselves and the potential to overcome adversity.
