Mothers of the Year share wisdom

HONORING MOM—Some of the 20 exceptional women named Mother of the Year by the California Association of American Mothers Inc. take a moment to enjoy their role as unsung heroes. The moms stressed the importance of raising children with a moral and spiritual foundation. On Saturday the California Association of American Mothers Inc. (CAMI) honored 20 Southern California women as Mothers of the Year at the Moorpark Country Club.

“Motherhood by far and away is the most important job in the world,” said Moorpark City Councilmember Keith Millhouse. “Mothers build the foundation of our future.”

CAMI Second Vice President Tahne Lutz gave guests an overview of the organization. American Mothers Inc. is the official sponsor of Mother’s Day, and Sarah Delano Roosevelt presented the first National Mother of the Year title in 1935.

Cheryl Clark, 2005 California Mother of Young Children, quoted the Plato. “You know also that the beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time at which the character is being formed and the desired impression is more readily taken.”

Clark, who home-schools her children, said parents must lead by example and demonstrate kindness, charity, self control and other virtues.

Dr. Lee Reid, a clinical psychologist and the 2005 California Mother of the Year, presented a tribute to mothers on the topic “No one can take your place.” Reid traced the life of a mother and child, recounting their deep bonds through every phase of life, through first steps, first loves, challenges and joys.

Marilyn Bambrough, former CAMI president, encouraged women to form American Mothers groups. “It matters to come together as a village to raise children,” she said.

Current CAMI President Danielle Smith sang “You Raise Me Up” prior to presenting the awards.

Mothers of Young Children were the first group of women to be honored. Six women living in the Conejo Valley spoke about the joys and challenges of motherhood.

Rebecca Dubowe is an Agoura Hills resident and the only deaf female rabbi in thworld. Dubowe serves as aassociate rabbi for 725 familieat Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks, and is the epitome oa good role model for children. She holds a monthly book club, operates a shelter for transitional families, cooks for the homeless on Christmas, visits the sick and conducts youth retreats.

Dubowe referred to Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech when she spoke about her wish for every child to live with shelter and without hunger, abuse or neglect.

Lisa Crawford of Simi Valley said she wouldn’t change or exchange her three children. She said her own mother, who single-handedly raised four daughters, was an inspiration to her.

Jennifer Given of Thousand Oaks discussed the importance of validating each child and the value of religion in their lives.

Stephanie Martin, a Moorpark resident, told guests that she counts her blessings daily. One of Martin’s children was diagnosed with a brain tumor which grew back three months after surgery. Her child underwent 18 months of treatment, and now at 4 years old has begun to walk.

“Count your blessings, for you never know what tomorrow may bring,” Martin said.

Monique Reynolds of Newbury Park also received a Mother of Young Children award.

The Merit Mother of Cultural Arts award winner, Thousand Oaks resident Rochelle Kidd, presented a Hawaiian dance number.

Several local women were named their city’s Mother of the Year. Joyce Cavan from Oak Park said when her child thanked her, “That’s the purple heart of motherhood. Motherhood is a lifetime sentence, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Adrienne Cohen of Westlake Village has seven children, and said motherhood has been the most rewarding and challenging job she’s ever had.

Marsha Saylors, a Camarillo mother of six and grandmother of eight, told fellow moms they only need to be the best mother in the world to their own children. “Our kids were tailormade for us and us for them.”

Corrine Morgan Thomas, a mother of four with twins diagnosed with autism, told how others recommended that she institutionalize her sons because of their disorder. Instead, Thomas and her husband battled the school and healthcare systems.

When one child, Stephen, joined the Agoura High School track team, Thomas assumed he was the team’s water boy. After he insisted that she attend the championship track meet, Thomas was stunned to learn Stephen was an athlete who not only participated in the race, but won first place.

“I saw my young, helpless son become a man,” Thomas said. “I fell to my knees and said that I just saw a miracle.”

Cheryl Wilson of Newbury Park was also named Mother of the Year.

Two women won Grandmother of the Year—Zelda McBride of Sylmar and Mary Swink, who raised her family in Simi Valley and now lives in Rancho Mirage.

Four other women received Mother of the Year awards, including Valerie Basham of San Fernando, L’Cena Rice of Torrance, Corinne Rosen from Woodland Hills and Gloria White of Sylmar.

American Mothers Inc. sponsors a number of programs, including ABC quilts for babies at risk, anti-pornography efforts, chapter parenting studies, a fifth-grade essay contest, health education, literacy for mothers, mothers against abuse and mother mentoring.

For more information about the organization or about the Mother of the year awards, please visit the website at www.americanmothers.org.