Thoughts On Motherhood

What is American Mothers

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History of American Mothers

The ideals of American Mothers, Inc.® began in the heart and mind of Anna Reeves Jarvis as she sought to heal the damage done to families caught in the conflict of the Civil War. By organizing a day of love and friendship across battle lines, this simple observance grew into the national holiday known as Mother’s Day, for which American Mothers is the official sponsor. First organized in 1933 as a division of J.C. Penny’s Golden Rule Foundation, American Mothers embraced all faiths and recognized the important role of the mother in the home, the community, the nation, and the world. Armed with the mission of promoting Mother’s Day and recognizing outstanding mothers, the first National Mother of the Year ® was named by Honorary Chairman, Sarah Delano Roosevelt in 1935 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Every year since then, American Mothers has selected a remarkable mother from nominees among 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.

Incorporated under the laws of New York in 1950, American Mothers became an independent, non-profit organization in 1954. However, it was under the leadership of American Mothers Honorary Chairman, Mamie Eisenhower, that a strong presence at the United Nations was established. American Mothers continues to be recognized as a non-governmental organization at the United Nations and is currently working on relevant issues with the Commission on the Status of Women. Many outstanding individuals throughout America have served as officers, leaders, members, and supporters of this organization such as Sarah Delano Roosevelt, J.C. Penny, Norman Vincent Peale, Mamie Eisenhower, Phyllis Marriott, Lindy Boggs, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. It is an inter-faith, non-political, non-profit 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.

History of Awards Given In California for American Mothers Inc.

2009 Myrna Condie, Mother of the Year, and Cherry Field, Young Mother of the Year

2010 Dianne Callister, Mother of the Year and Sara Dawn Mayer, Young Mother of the Year,

Meichelle Arntz for Outstanding Service to Children, Susan Funk, Santa Barbara, Young Mother of the Year

2011 Karen Nelson, Mother of the Year and Christine “Tina” HoChing, Young Mother of the Year

Carol Waddle, Mother of the Year from San Diego, Mandana Anvaripour, Young Mother of the Year

from Los Angeles, Diana Haskins, Outstanding Service to Children

2012  Bev Nelson, Mother of the Year, Darcy Ure, Young Mother of the Year, and Margaret Finlay, Mother of Achievement, Sonja Brown for Outstanding Service to Mothers and Sara Vance for Outstanding Service to Children. 

2013  Renee Starr, Mother of the Year, Stephanie McKnight, Young Mother of the Year

 Janice Rutherford-Lim, Mother of Achievement

and Robina Suwol, Francis Eleanor Smith, “Helping the Helpless Children” Award 

San Bernardino County Supervisor's Office Report

Rancho Cucamonga Resident Helping Recognize Mothers

Rutherford Report

San Bernardino County Supervisor’s Office. May 2013

When Bev Nelson learned about some inappropriate activity that took place during her oldest son’s overnight trip with his high school chorus, she went straight to the principal to let him know how she felt about the lack of supervision. 

“He said something that really made me stop and think,” Nelson said. “He said, ‘Where were you?’” 

For the next 15 years, Nelson—a Rancho Cucamonga resident and the mother of eight planned—organized, and chaperoned countless chorus trips, including journeys to competitions in Canada and Europe. 

“I made sure that the parents who went on the trip knew what their responsibilities were in terms of supervising the students,” she said. 

Nelson’s involvement in the chorus trips as well as her active role in her children’s schools, scouting, sporting, and other activities helped her earn the California 2012 Mother of the Year award from American Mothers Inc., a national nonprofit group that recognizes the important role of motherhood through educational programs and community outreach. 



Each of the women selected as Mother of the Year for their state are featured in online videos produced by American Mothers. In her video, Nelson encourages young mothers to surround their children with “wonderful adult role models.” 

“They need to look at other people besides you for encouragement and wisdom,” said Nelson, who serves as president of the California Association of American Mothers. “It only validates what you as a mother teach them.” 



Now, she is working to start a local chapter of American Mothers to work on local community service projects, such as collecting donations for domestic violence shelters, and to host events to educate young mothers and to recognize local mothers for the work they do. 

“Most mothers are the unsung heroes of the world,” Nelson said. “They do so much for their families without any desire for recognition.” 

About a year and a half ago, Nelson helped start the Upland Community Service Council to bring local service organizations such as Rotary,Lions, and Kiwanis clubs as well as local churches together to cooperate on community projects. 

“This kind of effort just builds unity in the community,” she said. “And isn’t that what you try to do when you are a mom?” 

If you would like more information about the Upland Community Service Council or the local chapter of American Mothers, send an email to Nelson at bevpnelson@gmail.com.

Chapter Area Happenings

Temecula, Hemet, San Diego: When considering what type of service project to do, I felt inspired to keep it local and invite women in the community to help. I came across a foster agency called Angels, which is specific to San Diego County. They are an amazing nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to make a difference in our foster system. They place young children in homes where the foster parents are physically and financially responsible for caring for the child. No state or federal money is given to these families for assistance. I was touched by the mission of this organization and decided to make and donate tag blankets that will be used as security blankets for children being placed through their foster agency. These children are usually moved around a few times before finding their long term placement with Angels and I wanted to provide the children with a source of security that will travel with them wherever they go. The tag blankets are underway! I have gathered materials and have made a few examples. With a wonderful group of women from my church and the community, we are planning to get together in May and make as many tag blankets as we can to donate to Angels!           Stephanie McKnight

Upland, Fontana, Rancho, Redlands, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Calimesa, Beaumont: We will be attending the tour of Casa Colina Rehabilitation Hospital in May. This is the facility that Eleanor Francis Smith started as her project when she was national Mother of theYear in 1936.  What a wonderful project it was... one that has helped thousands of children and adults over the years.  We also are planning a meeting in June to have a speaker inviting other mothers in our area to attend.  This next week we are delivering 50 blankets to a women’s family shelter that also teaches mothering classes to unwed mothers.  When the girls complete the course they receive a blanket for their new baby. We are also starting a monthly lecture series at our local library on different topics of parenting taught by professionals in their topic area. Finally in November we have made the initial contacts to honor mothers whose sons and daughters are serving in the military.  We will keep you posted on this idea and let you know how it is going.

                                                                                                                                 Bev Nelson 

Chapter Area Happenings

What’s Happening in our Different Areas!

La Canada: Lois Johnson (she played the violin during lunch at the gala) will speak at our local meeting here.  She has agreed and I just need to set a time. She is a great mother, has 5 amazing children, the 4th of which is leaving soon to serve as a missionary.  She is losing her eyesight but continues to lead the choir, cook, travel and be very involved in her children's lives.  She also volunteers taking suicide crisis calls.  Time and location to be announced.                                                                                                                   Dorothy DeVore                  

LaVerne, Glendora, San Dimas, West Covina and Covina:  We had a neighborhood meeting where my husband spoke about each home being prepared for a minimum of 3 weeks to 3 months in the event of an emergency.   He then announced me, Renee Starr, as Mother of the Year and asked me to speak.  I told them that one of my neighborhood projects is humanitarian aid for distressed babies at L.A. County Hospital starting next month at my house.  People are wanting to help and are wanting to donate material.  I need flannel, but I will take what ever I can get at first.  Eventually I can pass on cotton fabric if any other chapters could use that.  Fliers sent out to neighborhoods regarding needed things are a great way to supply each chapter with what they need.  People really want to donate.  I asked for material, thread, yarn, newborn onsies and sleepers, new or barely used.  I'm getting excited. Please share that with the other chapters. A meeting is also planned on June 20th. We’ve asked Bev Nelson to introduce CAAMI to those who are interested in joining. Time and location to be announced.                                                             Renee Starr