Powerful Moms??

At the Dr this week, I picked up the latest copy of Working Mother magazine. I'm always looking for tips and tricks on how to keep it together as a working mom. I found a great article written by a stay at home dad which I noted for further research. When I looked the magazine up on line, I found and interesting listing of 2011 most powerful moms. One of the mothers listed is Ursula Burns, who is the current CEO of Xerox, mother of 2 children, ages 21 & 17. While I found the "stats" on her career interesting, I about choked when I read the following "As for what Burns is like as a mom? This high-paid executive often does laundry and grocery shopping for the house to set a good example for her kids. She told the New York Times, “There's a little bit of this childhood kind of poverty—you know, pragmatism—that you never can get rid of."



WHAT????? She often does the laundry???? I think I live in a different realm, because, I have a different view of what makes a powerful mother. Here are just a few of the powerful mothers who are on my list & why... (I hope you don't mind me calling you all out.)

Kellie-
A mother of 5 and a military wife. That right there should be explanation enough, but I'll elaborate. A college graduate & highly intelligent woman, who chose to leave her career in education, to fulfill a higher role as a mother. She never has a dull moment, as she is always involved in her children's classrooms, PTA, church callings, and still has time to provide moral support to her blubbering little sister, whenever I need her. For the last 2 years Kellie has basically lived as a single mom, as her husband has been deployed to various schools & training, and has been Afghanistan for the last 9 months. As if this weren't stressful enough, her husband is part of an EOD team, responsible for disarming IED's. There should be a medal of honor for military wives and mothers, simply for surviving.

Rachael-
Also a highly intelligent woman, who has been an incredible friend to me. She also put an incredible career in Civil Engineering (less than 2% of Civil Engineers are female)on hold, to be at home with 2 beautiful girls. Rachael manages to keep her house cleaner and more organized than anyone I have ever met, yet still makes you feel right at home. Rachael's 2nd daughter was born with a portion of her left arm missing. I can't imagine the emotions this brought. I also can't imagine a woman more aptly equipped to handle the challenges. Rachael is compassionate, straight forward, and funny. A great example to me.

Laurie-
Laurie epitomizes Super Mom to me. She works full time, is actively involved in sports for all 3 of her children, is a party planner extraordinaire, and one of the most amazing women I know. Laurie adopted me and my little family, helping raise my 2 girls, as if they were her own, while we were in Wyoming. Laurie is an amazing cook & always seems to have room for extras. She cares for everyone, from her Grandma Rose, to her parents & siblings to friends like me. One of the most amazing women I know.

My Mom -
Yes, I realize this might seem a bit cliche, but I really do think my Mom is amazing. She has raised 8 children, which speaks volumes in and of itself. While in her late 30's, she decided to pursue her college education, and earned a degree in early childhood education. She graduated just hours before my older sister, from the same university. She has taught me many things, I hope to emulate, and some I hope to never repeat. Some of her greatest parenting advice is to improve upon what your parents have given you.

Really I have been blessed by so many incredible women in my life, and I learn so much from each of them. Incredible examples in their own way, and definitely all Powerful Moms, who I'm sure all "occasionally do the laundry".