the
Featuring
Meet America’s Mom Michelle Wall Highlights from the 2016 #MomStrong Conference Empowering Women in Technology
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Annual Report 2016
| American Mothers Inc.®
Our Mission
To champion women by honoring, educating and serving mothers at home, at work and in the world.
Our Vision
To be a nationally recognized and respected voice on issues impacting mothers.
Our Values
• An abiding respect for mothers and their role in society. • A desire for collaboration between mothers in service for the common good. • A heart of compassion for issues and challenges facing mothers around the globe. • An acknowledgement of diversity among mothers and their individual choices. • A recognition of the power of a mother’s inner strength. • A commitment to honor mothers for their leadership and service at home, at work and in the world.
About Us American Mothers, Inc.® is committed to valuing mothers through service and education and has been MomStrong since 1935. As the official sponsor of Mother’s Day and the Mother of the Year®, American Mothers continues the legacy of celebrating motherhood. Honoring the mission of the organization’s founders and leaders Eleanor Roosevelt, Sara Delano Roosevelt, Mamie Eisenhower, JC Penney, and Norman Vincent Peale, American Mothers is dedicated to improving the lives of mothers and children in the US and around the world. Each year American Mothers honors motherhood by naming the National Mother of the Year® and hosting the Mom to Mom Conference. As an NGO centered at the United Nations and leader of the Global Motherhood Coalition, American Mothers organizes annual panel discussions and participates in high level meetings focused on addressing global struggles for mothers and children. By bringing mothers together from across the country, American Mothers organizes maternal energy for positive change. Many outstanding individuals have been honored by American Mothers including Phyllis Marriott, Congresswoman “Lindy” Boggs, Golda Meir, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Kathie Lee Gifford, Alison Sweeney and Robin McGraw. After 81 years we are still #MomStrong!
Connect With Us!
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The American Mother Magazine
American Mothers Inc.® |
Greetings It’s an exciting time for American Mothers, as we continue to grow our voice on the importance of motherhood around the nation and the world. This is an opportunity to envision, empower and educate each other as we continue to bring inspired people together and strive to advance motherhood. We have so many exciting programs that focus on mom! The National Day of Service showcases how American Mothers members are reaching out to raise money and necessities for women faced with domestic violence situations. Our human trafficking partnerships are educating our nation on this global epidemic happening in our neighborhoods. American Mothers National Fifth Grade Essay Contest is teaching the next generation on the importance of mothers. Reading these heartwarming, affirmations of maternal love from around the country one of the highlights of our year! The American Mothers Annual Convention continues to educate moms on a myriad of issues, while honoring outstanding women from each state for their dedication to their children and community with our Mother of the Year and Mother of Achievement Awards. Finally, our work at the United Nations, recognizes how fortunate women are in this country, but strives to help mothers abroad raise great kids!
Table of
contents
About AMI....................................................................2 Greetings from Executive Director...............................3 AMI History...................................................................4 #MomStrong.................................................................6 Meet America’s Mom...................................................8 Conference Highlights............................................... 11 AMI Programs at Home............................................. 12 AMI Legacy Programs............................................... 14 AMI Programs Abroad............................................... 15 Ways to Connect....................................................... 18 AMI 2015 Financials................................................... 19
American Mothers continues to grow and expand, providing education and support via our membership, magazine, social media, website and blog. Our goal is to be the voice of motherhood carrying our message of education, inspiration and the importance of family to a global audience. American Mothers remains dedicated and focused on moms at home, at work and in the world. Together, we are #MomStrong. Best, Andrea Ball Executive Director
Visit Our New Website Launched This Year!
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American American Mothers Inc.®
Executive Director: Andrea Ball Chief Operating Officer: Connell Branan Membership: Jacquie Ball info@americanmothers.org
An Organization The idea behind American Mothers,
Advisory Council
Inc.® (AMI) began in 1930 when Eleanor
Arlo Sorenson, Chairman Cathy Keating, Co-Chairman Secretary Henry Cisneros Governor Bill Anoatubby
Roosevelt announced the formation of a Golden Rule Mothers Day Committee to help mothers and children during the
Executive Officers
Great Depression. Formally organized in
Dianne Dain Callister, President Carrie Leonard, OK Lela Sullivan, OK Joyce Stevens, NE Sheila Monke, NE Yolanda Perez, PR Dorothy DeVore, CA Stephanie Rogers, WI Tara Trobaugh, GA Carol Willey, VT Ashley Gann, AL Maria Amalbert, PR
1933 as a division of J.C. Penny’s Golden Rule Foundation, the Golden Rule Mothers Day Committee established a fund to help Americans “Celebrate Mother’s Day the Golden Rule Way” by providing aid to mothers and children in need. By 1935, the organization, under the Honorary Chairmanship of Sara Delano Roosevelt, named the first American Mother
Board Members Joan Braitsch, DC Mary Bates-Washington, DC Genevieve Champana, PR Kim Hoey Stevenson, DE Meg Ille, OK Gina Messina, OH Jennifer Oliver, OK Betsy Opyt, FL Patty Payne, AL Edie Roodman, OK Gerre Schwert, TN Deb Stanaland, OK Deanne Taylor, UT Darcy Ure, CA Sabrina Wisher, MT
The American Mother Magazine Editor Connell Branan Contributors Andrea Ball Dianne Callister Kim Hoey Stevenson Design & Layout Kalico Design Frederick, MD 240-446-9765 www.kalicodesign.com
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of the Year® at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City in hopes that she would be an inspiration to the nation.
Lucy Keen Johnson from Georgia was billed as ‘the typical mother of 1935’ when she was recognized as the first Mother of the Year®. It was written that the celebration was simple but celebrity studded with a small luncheon and program over at CBS, followed by an informal reception before the evening NBC broadcast. At that time, the Motherhood Medal was presented to her by Sarah Delano Roosevelt, the President’s mother. Lucy Keen attended Wesleyan College, the world’s oldest college for women. Soon after graduation, she married Fletcher M. Johnson, a young lawyer with five children. In 1914, at age 38, Lucy was left a widow with her five step children and a daughter of her own. Lucy soon became the Dean of Women at Wesleyan College, her alma mater, while raising her children and “mothering” a sizable college community. Along with her career and family, Lucy always found time for the concerns of others. A loyal Methodist, she served in various capacities within her church and found time for community projects. Sweet and grandmotherly, this women of refinement had successfully met the problems of raising a family
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History |
Mothers
Rich in History alone and accepted for all mothers the plaudits of her country as the very first American Mother of the Year®. Every year since, American Mothers has selected an inspirational mother from nominees across the 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for this important honor. There is a Hall of Fame plaque located in the south lobby of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (former home of American Mothers) that lists every National Mother of the Year® since 1935. Dedicated in 1970 by Honorary Chairman Mamie Eisenhower, and the Hilton Corporation, the plaque has recently been refurbished and remains an iconic
symbol of the mothers in America and the rich history of this organization. Under the leadership of Mamie Eisenhower, American Mothers also established a strong presence at the United Nations and recognized many international mothers for their humanitarian efforts. American Mothers continues to be recognized as a nongovernmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations and is currently working with other NGO’s to raise awareness about important issues that impact mothers and children worldwide.
of this organization such as Sarah Delano Roosevelt, J.C. Penny, Norman Vincent Peale, Mamie Eisenhower, Phyllis Marriott, Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. American Mothers is an educational 501(c)(3) organization that continues to recognize the invaluable contribution mothers make to the future success and happiness of children and society. Its purpose is exclusively charitable. The national headquarters is located in Washington D.C.
Many outstanding individuals throughout America have served as officers, leaders, members, and supporters
Moms Making a
Difference… In the fall of 1965, the American Mothers Committee, concerned with the rising crime rate and in support of President Johnson’s Crime Commission, enunciated a “Mothers Manifesto”. The Mothers Manifesto was a public declaration of mothers who had an unprecedented opportunity to root out societal problems beginning in their own homes. They pledged to join ranks to put an end to parental and juvenile delinquency, riots, alcohol and narcotic addiction, pornography and general disregard of laws and law enforcement. Over 13,000 mothers from over forty states across the nation signed this 10-point pledge. Mrs. Bertha Holt of Creswell, Oregon, the 1966 Mother of the Year, personally distributed over 5,000 copies of this Manifesto and returned the list of signatures to the White House. In return, President Johnson shared with the American Mothers Committee his personal appreciation of the project and its significance to America.
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#MOMSTRONG By Kim Hoey
Baking cookies, cooking dinner, knitting socks, kissing boo boos, singing lullabies and cuddling babies—the sweet images of mothers are ones that endure. An Internet search of the word, “Mothers” yields pages of pictures of women holding and cuddling children and babies. They should, Mothers often do represent the softness and the sweetness of childhood. But let’s not pigeonhole mothers there. children were actually being bought and sold around the world. She learned that Like the Colorado mother who was a stay trafficking is the fastest growing crimiat home mom when her car was rearend- nal industry in the world with revenues ed by teenagers who were street racing at upward of $150 billion a year—and that about 90 mph. Her oldest son was killed it can affect anyone. She thought of her instantly and her two younger children children and knew she could not just critically injured. Her younger son’s skull carry the knowledge that someone else’s was crushed and his body covered with baby was possibly being used or tortured; chemical burns. He’s endured countless she had to do something. surgeries to help, the most risky being More people needed to know. She left one to remove one hemisphere of his her job running a successful internabrain to try to stop the nearly endless tional consulting firm and created, seizures he was having. “Innocents at Risk” a nonprofit to build While she would have been justified in awareness and that, among other things, a nervous breakdown, this mom decided trains flight attendants how to recognize she had to do something to make a difa child being trafficked and what to do. ference. She became a police officer, and dedicates time to educating the public to There are plenty of moththe dangers of street racing. She travels ers who can change a diaper to high schools making “Drive Smart” with one hand and change presentations to students to try to save the world with the other. their lives and make the streets safer.
Moms are so much more…
Then there is the mother of five who heard the term, “Human Trafficking” while on vacation in Europe. She was horrified to learn that women and
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Sometimes, though, their strength is in walking away. This Mom was the epitome of the corporate career woman in the banking industry when her youngest daughter
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was diagnosed with Acute Llymphoblastic Leukemia in 2010. There was no way to keep up with her daughter’s care and keep the nine to five schedule she and her husband both had. Their lives were about getting help for their daughter and caring for their other children. Their jobs already hanging by a wire, the two decided it was time to cut it. They weren’t being themselves or being there for their family. He opened a hot dog cart. She shaved her head in solidarity and to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer and became a writer. Her first book, “2 Kids, a Taco and Cancer,” chronicled the family journey through the disease. To this day, this Mom speaks at seminars on childhood cancer and continues to advocate for her family and for care. Then there is the mother who walked away from the White House—well actually ran from it during the September 11, attack on our country. In her career she worked on Capitol Hill, in the West wing of the White House as Director of the White House Counselor’s Office, and finally as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. She dreamed of making the world a better
Honor | place, and had put off having children to achieve professional goals. It was after the evacuation that she realized life was too short to put off motherhood any longer. Today she still has her dream job, it’s just her dream changed. She is the stay at home mother to two young boys. She walked away from her high profile career cold turkey. For her, it was the right thing to do. The difference she can make in the world is through the care she provides for her children. Her favorite activity now is seeing the magic of life through the eyes of her children.
Sometimes tragedy makes mothers reevaluate, sometimes it just plain makes them stronger. This mother’s beautiful baby looked perfect, but was born with a rare and severe congenital heart defect. In the 15 months he lived, he endured several surgeries, including two openheart surgeries and a doublelung transplant. Watching a child suffer is one of the worst kinds of torture for a mother, one this one doesn’t know how she would have endured without incredible support. While this mother had a large and extended family to lean on through it all, she saw many others who did not—whose babies sat alone because their mothers had to work and care for others as well. Instead of turning away in mourning, this mother and her family decided to spread the love and strength they felt from their “heart baby” to others. She and her husband decided to extend the care they had with others. The foundation they started provides financial support to families coping with the trauma of congenital heart defects.
Abuse, verbal and physical, was the order of the day for the childhood of this mother. Her father repeatedly beat her and told her she was stupid and useless. No one would have been surprised had she grown up a drug addict or troubled in some way, but this mother decided to fight back. As an adult, she founded a nonprofit to help the destitute, abused women, youth at risk, and children with learning challenges to be a voice for those who didn’t have one. She works for many, but also for one. When her son was denied the chance to play baseball because of a disability, she founded her own baseball league so he could play, attracting the help of professional baseball players and the interest of dozens of children who just wanted to play. These are a few of the many stories heard from members of American Mothers each year. From the mother who was abandoned at a Salvation Army as an infant who fights world poverty today, to the mother who delivered her own granddaughter on the freeway, mothers everywhere are making differ-
ences, big and small, in the world with their quiet strength. Motherhood isn’t something women do, it’s who they are. Many mothers tell their children that if lost, look for another mother with children. No one will care more for a child than a mother in protect mode. A mother of one, is a mother to everyone – don’t believe it, yell, “Hey Mom!” in a busy mall some day and see how many people turn around. We live in a better world because we are, “MomStrong.” Mothers run play dates and board meetings, wipe up spills at home and messes around the world. Yes, mothers keep the home fires burning, but that doesn’t mean they can’t set the world on fire as well, and they do it all while dancing backward in heels. As one of the 2014 Young Mother’s of the Year said, “ Motherhood is the ultimate career. If we uplift and strengthen mothers around us, we strengthen and uplift their children.” Perhaps that extends to the world. We should all be saluting the strength of mothers and looking to see how we can encourage more of them today.
About The Author In her professional life, Kim Hoey Stevenson is a freelance writer who has written for such media outlets as American Online, Money Talks News, Gannett, Delaware Today, PARADE Magazine and Delaware Beach Life. She traveled extensively both personally and professionally. Most notably, she was in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope to cover the change over from US to United Nations forces. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Kim used her degree in psychology to help co-author the book, “Overcoming Misfortune: Children Who Beat the Odds,” a book that explored the positive side of psychology. Kim is married and is mother to one child at home, six grown step-children and grandmother to 15. She lives in Delaware and was the 2013 Young Mother of the Year for Delaware.
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Meet
America’s
Mom Michelle Wall
2016 National Mother of the Year® by Kim Hoey It’s noon on a Wednesday. Michelle Wall has made breakfast and lunch for her children, taken and picked up one of them from camp, picked up a friend for a play-date, written a thank you note to the governor for a recent tour of the state fair, confirmed a babysitter for the next day, sent out a request for sponsors for an MS event she’s chairing, and filled out a Girl Scout survey for the troop she runs.
“I’m juggling all the time,” said Wall, the Middletown, Delaware mother of Ann Stewart, 10, and Ruby, 8, who said her girls were playing with makeup before she took them to the pool later that day. “That’s the realness of being a mom. I’m a normal mom.” Wall, the 2016 National Mother of the Year®, says this is the year of the normal mom–meaning there is no normal, just women doing what they can for their children. While being a mom is her favorite thing and the best thing she does, she admits she isn’t perfect. “I just want to hang out with my kids, but there are days I lose my cool, and days I don’t have it all together,” she said. If there is 8
one thing she hopes other mothers get from her year as MOY, it’s that it’s OK not to be perfect. “Everybody does the best they can.” Michelle Wall was born in San Jose, California and lived in eight states as a military child, and several more as an adult. After graduating from James Madison University with a degree in Political Science and Political Communications, she was chosen to be a Virginia Governor’s Fellow and spent a year shadowing the governor. Later she coordinated that program and then began working in the Governor’s office for the first lady. She married the love of her life, Jason Wall, in 2001 and through moves with his The American Mother Magazine
job, she’s worked with North Carolina State University and the Raleigh News and Observer where she was the Interactive Media coordinator. Another move put her in Phoenix where she worked for the newspaper the Arizona Republic as coordinator of the Gilbert branch office. On the next move to West Virginia, she was pregnant with their first child and decided she wasn’t ready to go back to work. That was 10 years ago and Wall still isn’t ready to go back to full-time in an office type of work. That’s not to say she doesn’t work full-time, it’s just not for the tangibles that one gets in the nine to five world.
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“If there is one thing she hopes other mothers get from her year as MOY, it’s that it’s OK not to be perfect. ‘Everybody does the best they can.’” Last year Wall was named the volunteer of the year for the Greater Delaware Valley Multiple Sclerosis Society. She has family members with MS and wanted to do her part to help people with the disorder so she started volunteering for one of the local fundraisers, MSquerade, the MS Society masquerade ball, that she eventually chaired. Also, in 2015, she was elected to the Appoquinimink School Board where she says she now gets to play mom to 11,000 children by advocating for them. She holds monthly “Bagels with a Board Member,” meetings at a local coffee house so she can hear directly from parents and guardians what educational concerns they have for their children. On the home front, she is a Girl Scout leader for her daughters. Her daughters wanted to join Scouts, and there was a need for Girl Scout leaders in their area, so Wall and another mother took on the task.
playing board games at home (their new favorite is one named, “Ticket to Ride”), cooking with her daughters or just being outside. Her best days are at the beach, she said. It’s the one place she can really unwind. “Roots and Wings” is what she calls her philosophy on parenting. She and Jason, work to instill compassion in their children with the idea being that the roots they give equip their daughters with values and a belief system. The wings are when they take those roots and apply them to the world. “My proudest moments are when I see our children loving and serving other people the way we teach them at home,” she said. “These four Walls need to live beyond these four walls.” Wall uses that same philosophy on herself. Before she takes on any project or job she meets with her family to discuss how her extra activity could affect them. It has to be a worthwhile endeavor, she said.
Supporting mothers around the world and being able to represent them and the state of Delaware is such an endeavor, she said. While she was, “shocked and surprised,” to be chosen the national mother after meeting the incredible candidate from around the country, she has taken on the role with a humble diligence and determination to spread the word about the organization. Since being named last April, she’s appeared on the Hallmark Channel in a Mother’s Day special program, had speaking engagements in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, has appeared on several news broadcasts, been interviewed on local and national radio shows, traveled with the Governor of Delaware and met with as many state and national leaders to remind them of the important job mothers are doing every day. Luckily, it’s not something she has to remind her husband of at home. She excels at everything she does, he said. He was happy to see her recognized for what he already knew, she is a great mother. “Being a mom is something I do every day, so to be recognized for it, I think, is pretty great,” Wall said. Like many
“It was the best decision I ever made,” said Wall of co-leading Troop 1288. “We often say, ‘1288, it’s great great.’” It is deliberate interactive time with her daughters and their friends, three times a month, she said. Among her accomplishments there, she recently applied for and had her troop awarded the job of making the Christmas ornaments for the Delaware tree that stands next to the national Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. She also works part-time as an event coordinator for the Delaware state treasurer, when she’s not taking her girls to dance and piano practice, Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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women, Wall sometimes finds it hard to take compliments, but realizes that a little encouragement can go a long way. During her acceptance speech at the national convention last April, she spoke about a passage in author Jen Hatmaker’s book “For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards,” a book that discusses practicing kindness, grace, truthfulness, vision, and love to ourselves and those around us.
the best practices in mothering she hears. There is no way to be a perfect mom, but there a lots of ways to be a good or even great mom, she said. All moms struggle, she said, and no mom is better than another.
She asked all mothers in the room to turn to one another and say “you’re doing a great job.” “Kids are always watching, kids are always listening.” Wall said. ”I always want my kids to know what I’m most passionate about.” One of the things she would like to do in the coming year is to talk with mothers throughout the country, hear their stories and possibly collect all
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The American Mother Magazine
“Fantastic Event! Great, Great Job!” – Pam Kanaly, 2015 National Mother of Achievement
“The Moms Night Out event was so laid back and helped create bonds with other women that will last a lifetime!” – Laurie Visser, SD Mother of the Year
2016 National #MomStrong Conference
“Thank you for such a wonderful event. I have never felt so honored in my life.” – Renee Hawkes, UT Mother of the Year
Join Us
APRIL 23–25, 2017 Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.
For our Annual Conference:
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| Programs
PROGRAMS at American Mothers has many programs that benefit mothers and families at home, at work and in the world. We have projects that focus on mothers in the United States and around the World.
National 5th Grade Essay Contest If a 5th grade student you know would like to participate in American Mothers 5th Grade Essay contest, the contest runs from August 15th thru January 15th and the topic is, “What my Mother Means to Me.”
A winner will be selected from each state, and then we’ll announce a national winner by March 30th. Monetary prizes will be given to the top three essays nationally and the National Winner will be invited to read their essay in Washington DC!
Participating is easy! Each child writes 150 words about their moms and turns the essays into their teacher by January 15th. Teachers will then need to turn the essays over to their state American Mothers chapter or mail to the National Office by January 30th.
If you’re a parent who thinks this is a great idea for your fifth grader’s classroom, send an email to info@americanmothers.org and we’ll help facilitate it in your school. The Fifth grade essay contest runs each year beginning in August, with submissions due by the January 15th.
Mother of The Year® For over 80 Years we have been honoring moms who make a difference! Since the first National Mother of the Year® was named by the American Mothers Committee and Honorary Chairman, Sara Delano Roosevelt in 1935, American Mothers has honored inspirational moms from across the country every year! Nominations open on Mother’s Day and close on November 15th for Mother of the Year and Mother of Achievement.
I Heart Mom Program Want to personally honor your amazing mom? Let us help! Tell us about your favorite #mom and share what an important role she has played in your life or the difference she has made in the lives of others, and we’ll share it with everyone —on our website and via social media—and send her a link
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to your tribute! We’ll also make her a member of American Mothers for the next year! Proceeds from the American Mothers I Heart Mom program benefit our efforts to raise awareness about violence against women and children worldwide. This makes an especially great Mothers’ Day gift!
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Programs |
National Conference #MomStrong Each year American Mothers celebrates motherhood in Washington, DC just before Mothers’ Day! With exciting speakers, special events, Capitol Hill visits and the Motherhood Gala, you don’t want to miss this special event that has been #MomStrong for over 81 years! Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest news and updates. We can’t wait to celebrate motherhood with you!
National Day of Service American Mothers is excited to sponsor a Mom to Mom National Day of Service which takes place during the week leading up to Mother’s Day. As an organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers and children, American Mothers is bringing moms across the nation together during this week to help local domestic violence shelters by donating much needed items to women and children in need.
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Legacy Programs Barbara Thompson Gift The Barbara Thompson Gift of $1000.00 is given annually to support a needful and deserving mother, child, or worthy cause. U.S. District Judge Ralph G. Thompson, Barbara’s husband, funds this award in honor of his wife, the 1995 National Mother of the Year®, for her generosity and loving concern for the mothers and children of this country and for her commitment to strengthen the foundations of the family and home. Nominations are submitted by individuals and State Associations. Nominations are accepted until April 1 of each year and can be submitted online.
ABC Quilts ABC Quilts (At Risk Babies & Children’s Quilts) was founded in 1988 by Ellen Ahlgren, to give love and comfort to at-risk babies in the form of handmade quilts, and to use this process to promote awareness, community service and prevention education. “At-risk” was
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defined as those babies born HIV-positive, affected by their mother’s drug or alcohol abuse while pregnant, or abandoned. The international network of volunteers has delivered over half a million quilts since ABC Quilts was founded. American Mothers became involved with ABC Quilts in 1992, when its founder, Ellen Ahlgren was named the New Hampshire Mother of the year. In 2006, American
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Jesse Ball duPont Foundation Jesse Ball duPont was a financial supporter of the American Mothers Committee in the 1960s. Because of her love for the organization, American Mothers is eligible to receive grants from the Jesse Ball duPont Foundation.
Mothers adopted ABC Quilts as a National Project. Quilts are made and donated by people of all ages, and all skill levels. The completed quilts are distributed to local hospitals and agencies that deal with babies and children at risk. If you would like more information about ABC Quilts, please contact us at info@americanmothers.org We can also accept knitted and crocheted baby blankets for distribution.
Programs |
PROGRAMS ABROAD United Nations American Mothers is a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. We are currently working with the United Nations and the Commission on the Status of Women to raise awareness about issues impacting women and children worldwide. American Mothers also works closely with other organizations around the globe who share our same mission. See what some of these women are doing to make the world a better place or join our global coalition.
American Mothers has a rich history of recognizing mothers making an impact with the country’s
Global Motherhood Coalition American Mothers, Inc. is leading a global coalition focused on improving the lives of mothers and families to promote intergenerational solidarity around the world. Through the collaborative efforts of international organizations and communities, the Global Motherhood Coalition offers a comprehensive approach to research, services, and action with the mission of promoting best practices in motherhood and improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and children.
humanitarian needs. In 1948, actress and US Delegate to the United Nations, Irene Dunn, received a humanitarian award from the American Mothers Committee for her work at the UN and for her portrayal as a mother in the film, “I Remember Mama.”
Mothers Eyes on the World American Mothers, Inc.®, Innocents at Risk and Operation Underground Railroad have forged a partnership to educate mothers and the public on ways to identify trafficking and how to take action. Through the Mother’s eyes on the World initiative, these 501(c)(3) charitable organizations are working together to educate the public on how to identify the key signs of trafficking and protect the children of our communities. An informational brochure is available online.
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Programs
ABROAD Transcript of the comments delivered by Andrea Ball to the United Nations on behalf of American Mothers.
Empowering Mothers with Technology American Mothers Statement on Closing the Digital Divide for Mothers
Moderated by Mr. Gary Fowlie, Head, ITU Liaison Office to the United Nations, the panel consists of:
As part of the sixtieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the United Nations hosted a panel discussion entitled, “The Role of Technology in Empowering Women” on Thursday, March 24th. Sponsored by Costa Rica, Switzerland, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates, American Mothers, Inc. was invited to participate and address the needs of connectivity for mothers around the world. With a significant global gender gap in technology access, use and training, the panel discussed potential solutions to narrowing the digital divide.
Ms. Atefeh Riazi, Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Information Technology Officer with the United Nations
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HE Juan Carlos Mendoza García, Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations Mr. Jamal Al Musharakh, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the UN Ms. Dominica Lindsey, Senior of Research Strategy & Evaluation, GSMA Connected Women Ms. Andrea Ball, Executive Director, American Mothers, Inc.
The American Mother Magazine
Programs | American Mothers is an NGO that works to strengthen the standing of 2 billion mothers around the world. We know that the digital divide impacts all women; however, we recognize that mothers, specifically, must be a priority focus in gaining technology access as their footprint is larger because they will share their opportunities and skills with their families. I’m sure you’ve heard that in developing countries, women reinvest a staggering 90 cents of every dollar of their income in “human resources” which include their families’ education, health, and nutrition. Mothers (even illiterate mothers) are more likely to insist on education for their own children, especially their daughters, and encourage them to stay in school longer so a support system inherently exists with mothers. Therefore, by increasing their access to technology, we create life skills learning opportunities that, otherwise, they would be largely be unaware of. More importantly, the more moms can control their family situation, they not only help themselves, but they help their children and ultimately, the future of their country. That said, it’s imperative that governments around the world make public internet access and mobile internet devices affordable and available as that is the needed bridge to a myriad of solutions that we can all offer here, today. With mothers gaining access to the internet, we can increase life and job skills in family units that will be passed on from a mother to her children generationally, just like other social norms and folkways. The reality is that a woman’s role as a mother is what drives them, because providing for and bettering their children lives is basic human instinct and offering these women access to education through technology, is the vehicle to make real change happen. Currently, American Mothers recognizes that we can’t boil the ocean but we are trying to approach this problem where we can make an impact on mothers with our current reach and funding. For those mothers who may be underserved but have access to the internet on an intermittent basis, we believe that the simplest and most economical vehicle to reach them and offer support, life skills training and education is social media. Facebook reports globally, that it has 1.5 billion active users each month so American Mothers launched a program in the spring of 2016 that has grown our outreach on social media well beyond our borders and plan to continue this effort to connect moms from all walks of life and be their support mechanism worldwide. Additionally, we
are currently working with pilot programs in Africa and Europe (as well as underserved areas of the United States) to increase our educational outreach to mothers. Secondly, we recognized that education can best be obtained by mothers through affordable, virtual learning. We know that mothers can best utilize these opportunities, as being at home with young children offers a unique opportunity to expand job skills and training. It’s been proven that if we can increase job skills and entrepreneurship among women, we will increase economic opportunity for their families and, therefore, ultimately end poverty. We are currently working with a global, accredited University program to support motherhood scholarships in an online learning environment but also want to strongly encourage Governments and publically funded Academia to develop affordable, virtual education programs for women to create even more access to those who want to flourish and back it up with the internet access needed to participate in these programs.
The reality is that a woman’s role as a mother is what drives them, because providing for and bettering their children lives is basic human instinct and offering these women access to education through technology, is the vehicle to make real change happen.
Finally, we also understand this isn’t just a top down issue. We are working to make sure children understand the value of their moms by expanding a successful outreach program in the American school system that teaches 10 year olds to recognize the importance of their individual mother to other countries. In the fall of 2015, we have expanded this program to Europe and we hope to see future growth via our Global Motherhood Coalition. We feel strongly that by instilling a fundamental appreciation of their mom in children early, these kids will take this concept to adulthood and pass it on to their own family. In conclusion, we know that Mothers with access to technology will, unquestionably, use any skills and money she obtains to benefit her family. This family tree effect will grow and ultimately has the potential to significantly impact poverty on a global scale. Until that time, American Mothers will continue to educate the world on the importance of motherhood, so no mother is undervalued by her family, her economy and most importantly, herself.
Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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Winter 2016
Magazine The American Mother magazine has been the voice of American Mothers for over 20 years! Let us help you navigate motherhood with information, advice and heartwarming stories about moms just like you, who are #MomStrong women doing extraordinary things! Open up our latest online issue or become a member to get the paper version mailed to your home! We have several advertising opportunities available as well.
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The American Mother Magazine
Financials |
Financial Review American Mothers continues its solid financial footing with a strong Endowment Fund and targeted spending. The National Board of Directors, complete with an elected treasurer and Endowment Chair, oversees the fiscal health of this national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The investment firm of Morgan Stanley, along with our professional staff and CPA, assure that American Mothers benefits from conservative and informed financial management. Major annual expenses include the National Conference which fulfills our historic goal of Honoring Mothers, and gives these inspiring women an opportunity to network and consider critical topics to mothers with nationally recog-
nized experts. Programming costs and disbursements to State Associations are also part of our major annual expenses. The Income Summary illustrates that the majority of income is supplied by earnings from American Mothers Endowment Fund. We are indebted to visionary women who established the Fund in 1957, and to all who contribute to its growth through our Lifetime Membership initiative and the Honors and Memorials program. Expenses of American Mothers are offset by income from the Annual Convention, membership dues, donations and annual interest earned from the Endowment Fund investments.
The Expense Summary illustrates that the vast majority of funding is directed to the National Convention and other programs to meet the needs of mothers and children across the country and Puerto Rico. What is also important to note, while not shown on this chart, is a strong culture of volunteer commitment in American Mothers where members and leaders absorb significant expenses including travel to meetings and donation of resources to stretch the programming funds of American Mothers. Our members are committed to the mission of championing women at home, at work, and in the world.
Income Summary n Endowment Fund (66%) n Annual Convention Income (15%) n Program Income (14%)
n Direct Support & Other Income (5%)
TOTAL INCOME: $179,346.66
Expense Summary n Convention Expenses (35%) n Program Expenses (19%) n Executive Director (18%) n Operations (18%)
n Awards & Other Expenses (5%) n Board Expenses (3%) n Miscellaneous (2%)
TOTAL EXPENSE: $138,626.15
Published by American Mothers, Inc.ÂŽ
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