WINNEMUCCA - American Mothers Inc. (AMI), it's the best mother's association you've probably never heard of.
That's according to Winnemucca's Montse Wadsworth, named by the association as 2013 Nevada Young Mother of the Year.
Wadsworth just returned from the national AMI convention at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
AMI chooses a Mother of the Year (mother over 45 years old) and a Young Mother of the Year (mother with children under 18) from all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. During the national convention, a national Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year are named.
Wadsworth reported that the National Young Mother of 2013 is Tara Trobaugh from Georgia. Wadsworth said, "Tara is spunky, vivacious, and will bring a breeze of fresh air and southern charm to her duties." The National Mother of the Year is Judy Cook from Utah, who Wadsworth says is "knowledgeable, steady and perfectly lovely."
AMI first named a National Mother of the Year in 1935 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Wadsworth said it was fun to attend the national convention this year in the exact place where it all started.
The organization's history starts even further back. The ideals of American Mothers, Inc. began in the heart and mind of Anna Reeves Jarvis, whose mother had been a social activist and organizer during and after the Civil War.
Jarvis is recognized as the founder of Mother's Day in the United States. 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.
AMI's mission, according to its website, is to champion women by honoring, educating and serving mothers at home, at work and in the world. The organization seeks to be a nationally recognized and respected voice on issues that impact mothers.
Wadsworth said that the women chosen as state mothers of the year may not be the best mothers in the state, nor are they perfect.
"Rather," she said, "they are held up as an example of mothers who find great joy in what they do."
Wadsworth said that by honoring their accomplishments, and asking them to be AMI spokespersons, they can be a positive voice in a world that is increasingly dismissing the roles of mothers and fathers and functioning families.
This year's AMI convention in New York City gathered state Mothers of the Year and Young Mother of the Year for a three-day convention culminating in the naming of National Young Mother of the Year and Mother of the Year.
Wadsworth said, "The first day of the convention was a "get to know you" day. Every woman I met captured my heart - the polio survivor, the concert pianist, the West Wing exec, the marathon runner, the writers and teachers and lawyers - every one passionate about mothering and trusting in God."
"On day two we heard from every state representative as they each gave three minute speeches about motherhood. You would think hearing so many women speak might be boring and repetitive. It wasn't. Instead it was inspiring and motivating. A special luncheon was also held this day to recognize special National Mothers of Achievement who have made a significant impact by serving in their communities. The featured speaker at the luncheon and National Mother of Achievement from Connecticut was Kathie Lee Gifford."
Wadsworth continued, "A Mom to Mom Conference was held the final day of the convention. Qualified panelists presented on such topics as 'The Myth of the Super Mom,' 'Motherhood in America,' 'Mompreneurs,' and 'Mothers of Tomorrow.' The crowning event, the American Mothers Gala, was held in the evening. A special video presentation was shown with each State Young Mother and Mother of the Year sharing advice on how to be a terrific mom. The 2013 National Young Mother and Mother of the Year were announced with great fanfare."
Wadsworth said it was a pleasure to represent Nevada (and our small town of Winnemucca!) as
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the 2013 Nevada Young Mother of the Year at the convention. She noted that while the AMI convention is now over, her duties to represent other young mothers in Nevada are just beginning.
Her main responsibility will be sponsoring service projects that help mothers and children. In the past she has been successful in raising money through her blog, Chocolate On My Cranium. Wadsworth's posts brought forward donations for families in Haiti affected by the earthquake in January 2010 and also for the Stella Oaks Scholarship fund which gives scholarships to single parents trying to obtain a college education at LDS Business College in Salt Lake City.
She said." Now my goal is to do something much closer to home that will have an impact on our great community and state; I look forward to serving and getting to know other mothers in our community."
For more about American Mothers visit www.americanmothers.org. American Mothers embraces all faiths and recognizes the important role and contribution of mothers in the home, the community, the nation, and the world. AMI is recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization and currently has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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