Washington D.C.– “We will not stop until Shared Parenting is the norm…and the parent child relationship is protected at all cost.”
Minister Ronald E. Smith, a prominent shared parenting advocate, died Friday, apparently from a heart attack.
This is very sad news. Ron and I didn’t see the family law problem in exactly the same way, but I always respected him. He endured great tragedy in his life–his children were alienated from him when they were young, though he did reunite with them later. One son later died at a very young age from cancer.
Below is a brief biography. Ron is pictured above, speaking at a shared parenting rally in Washington DC.
Minister Ronald E. Smith
Minister Smith was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. A product of the Chicago Public School system, furthered his education by attending and graduating from the University of Michigan at Dearborn. He further attended the Illinois Institute of Technology pursuing a degree in Public Administration.
Minister Smith has worked for the Mayor of the City of Chicago, and has also served as Assistant to the First Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Aviation for the City of Chicago. He has spent 15 years with the Community Mental Health Council as a Mental Health Professional and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Therapist under Dr. Carl C. Bell. During this time, he also served as a Substitute Teacher in the Chicago Public School system.
Minister Smith is founder and CEO of Children Need Both Parent, Inc. which is a non profit 501(c)(3) based in Chicago, Illinois and Headquartering in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Children Need Both Parents, Inc. was founded in 1993 initially to assist non custodial parents to maintain an equal and positive relationship with their children. CNBP has since become an advocate of the American Family highlighting the importance of the protection of the parent child relationship.
Minister Smith is the father of two sons, Richmond E. Smith (deceased) and Ariel D. Smith. His sons were victims of Parental Alienation which has sparked his push for the elimination of these practices nationwide and spotlighted the need for shared parenting legislation to exist throughout this country. He is the author of the book Cheated (A Documented Account of Parental Alienation Syndrome) co-authored by his son Ariel.
Minister Smith dedicates his efforts to the memory of his son Richmond Elihu Smith who passed on April 27, 2007 from complications of liver cancer believed to be the result from the administration of Ritatlin.
“We will not stop until Shared Parenting is the norm…and the parent child relationship is protected at all cost.”