The Woman Who Sold Babies | The Judge's Daughter | 1

American Scandal

Wondery

True Crime, Exhibit C, Society & Culture, History, Documentary, History Daily, American History Tellers, Lindsay Graham

4.6 • 18.7K Ratings

🗓️ 20 May 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the early 20th century, a young woman named Georgia Tann begins her career in social work and becomes determined to change adoption in America—even if it means destroying lives and tearing families apart.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, this is Lindsay Graham, host of American Scandal. Our Back catalog has moved behind a paywall.
0:05.9	Recent episodes remain free, but older ones will require a Wondry Plus subscription.
0:10.6	With Wondry Plus, you get access to the full American Scandal archive, add free, plus early access to new seasons, and more.
0:17.7	Join Wondery Plus in the Wondry app or on Apple Podcasts.
0:22.6	A listener note, this episode contains descriptions of child abuse. Please listen with care. And to protect their privacy,
0:28.2	we have changed the names of all children involved in this story.
0:51.9	Music It's late on September 11, 1950, at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.
0:57.2	There's a buzz of anticipation in the press briefing room as reporters from across the state take their seats.
0:58.6	Everyone is wondering what could be so urgent that the governor has called a press conference.
1:03.5	One of the last to find her place is Nellie Kenyon, a 51-year-old reporter for the Nashville
1:08.3	Tennessean.
1:09.5	She's been doing this job long enough to know that an announcement made this late in the day is either very good news or very bad.
1:16.6	The room falls silent as Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning walks in, flanked by several officials.
1:22.6	The governor's round face is unusually solemn as he steps up to the podium.
1:31.2	Canyon edges forward in her seat, her notepad and pen at the ready.
1:39.4	Good evening. Thank you all for being here so late. I appreciate it.
1:46.3	I understand there are various rumors circulating, and I want to go on the record with you as soon as possible.
1:56.9	Earlier this month, under my orders, investigators began looking into claims that a black market adoption ring is operating in the city of Memphis after their initial inquiries.
1:59.3	We believe those allegations have merit.
2:06.6	So I can announce tonight that we are launching a full-scale investigation into the activities of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. Governor Browning looks up from his notes to look directly at the reports.
2:10.6	Now, while that investigation continues, I can't say too much, but let me be clear.
2:14.6	There can be nothing more revolting than the trafficking of
	...

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