ALASKA Laurel Pfanmiller-Azegami was born and raised in Alaska. She graduated from college with a degree in Zoology and Secondary Education, was married and started her family of three daughters and two sons. Laurel has been an activist for children within her community and state. She has helped bring about legislative changes that help special needs children receive valuable support. Laurel works part-time as a dental hygienist and loves being a mom. She is committed to the philosophy that every child is of infinite worth, is capable of learning and has a gift to give.
ARIZONA Carol Soelberg grew up in mesa, Arizona. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Education and married her husband, James Soelberg in 1969. Together, they have thirteen children and forty-one grandchildren. Carol believes a mother's role is to create an environment where her children can reach their full potential. With this focus, she shared with her children a love for God, service, music, learning and liberty. Carol has served as President of United Families International and has lobbied at the United Nations and spoken around the world about family issues. In 2006, Carol and Glade were named National Parents of the Year. Carol feels nothing is of greater importance than being with her children and their families who are themselves contributing members of society.
ARKANSAS Marilyn Simmons received her BSE degree from the U of A in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She served as a school teacher for five years. Marilyn is an active member of The Bible Church of Little Rock, where she continues to serve in the Adult Choir and in Women’s Ministry. Marilyn has served on the board of several organizations, including the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Christian Civic Foundation, and the Arkansas School Board System. She and her husband have three daughters and nineteen grandchildren. Marilyn spends a great deal of time with her family.
CALIFORNIA Dianne Callister of California was born in a Salvation Army hospital and spent a brief time in foster care, before being adopted. Dianne has been married twenty-five years to her husband, Steve. Together, they have raised four children, and just recently welcomed the addition of their first grandchild. Dianne has served on multiple PTA boards, founded White Wings and Silver Strings non-profit organizations, and created a program called Project GIVE, which educates and funds student-driven service for middle-school students nationwide. She currently serves as President and Executive Director of The Singer Foundation, which directs funding to programs impacting children internationally. Dianne is the 2010 National Mother of the Year ®.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Vera Rolark Abbott was born in Shelby County, Tennessee but was raised in Detroit by her great-aunt where she received her early education. After graduating from business school, she was recruited by the State Department to work in Washington D.C. Vera was united in marriage to the late Dr. Calvin Rolark, and they had one daughter. Vera was employed with the District of Columbia, the U.S. Information Agency, the Civil Aeronautics Board and the D.C. Board of Parole. She has received the Mayor’s Meritorious Service Award, and been recognized by the AARP, the City Council and nominated as an “Outstanding Woman in D.C. Government”. Vera takes great pride in making worthwhile contributions, however, her most important career as a single mother, is that of being a loving and caring mother and grand-mother.
DELAWARE Sarah Lee Johnson, born in 1957, grew up in Alexandria, Virginia with her two brothers. Sarah’s commitment to community was founded early watching her parents serve the community on local boards in the hospital, school and church. Sarah received her AB from Duke University majoring in music and religion. In 1987 she earned a Master of Divinity and was ordained to the Diaconate in the Episcopal Church. She also married Luke Nelson. Sarah and Luke moved to Alexandria, Virginia where she taught at Saint Agnes School. She has served in many positions in her church and currently is the priest at Saint James episcopal Church in Newport, Virginia. Sarah and Luke have five children. She enjoys yoga, reading and her two dogs.
GEORGIA Marie Smith Corrigan was born in Wareham, Massachusetts. She graduated in 1982 with a nursing degree from the Medical College of Georgia and married Vic. Their first child, Caroline, was premature, resulting in learning differences. Marie was led to establish Sophia Academy in 1999, the only K-* Christian school for students with learning differences. The school has had a positive impact on over 300 families due to its multi sensory approach to serve students with dyslexia, auditory and visual processing deficits and attention deficits. Marie served as Principal and teacher and led major fundraising. She currently serves as Director and is responsible for strategic planning and implementation. Marie serves on several boards including the Sophia Academy, The Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and the Georgia DOE State Advisory Panel. Marie was the 2008 winner of the Tommy Nobis Governor’s Award.
HAWAII Cathy Smith Wong was born and raised in North Carolina. Her heritage is Irish, English and Native American. Cathy has been married for 23 years to her husband, Darrell and they have two children. Cathy studied social work and human development and has been a counselor for 15 years. She has served her church and community but her most important achievements have been serving and loving God and family. Motherhood has been her greatest calling and by working and making her family a priority, Cathy has learned that ‘success outside the home can never compensate for failure in the home’.
IDAHO Delores Birch was born in Roosevelt, Utah during the great depression. She grew up on a sugar beet farm in Burley-Rupert, Idaho and learned early to participate with her siblings in the beet fields. Delores graduated from Heyburn High School and went on to further her education at Ricks College where she met and married her husband, Dean. Delores and Dean raised nine precious children. They taught their children to work on the farm as they owned and operated Ricks College Housing and Del-Dean Health Store. Delores spends her time with her nine children, thirty-eight grandchildren and dedicates her life to family, church and community.
INDIANA Darlene Cyr is from Fort Wayne, indiana. She was born and raised in Williams County, ohio, the second daughter of seven children. After graduation from high school, she attended Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated in 1966 as a registered nurse. Darlene married her husband, Alan in May, 1967 and they started their family the following year. Eight children and nine grandchildren followed. Most of Darlene's time has been devoted to raising children and being involved with their activities, but she enjoys reading and embroidering different items in her spare time. Darlene states that 'watching your children grow into caring and responsible adults is very gratifying and rewarding.' Darlene's local paper ran a nice article recently about her honor as Indiana's Mother of the Year.
KANSAS Erma Fusco was born in Andover, Kansas, attended business college and worked for a physician. In 1945 she met a soldier in the Army Air Force named Joseph Fusco, from Brooklyn, New York. they fell in love and were married in 1946. They were married for 62 years and blessed with 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Erma has been active in the First Salem United Church of Christ, American Mothers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and numerous community service projects including helping the homeless. Family time is spent enjoying meals together, games, traveling and now video chatting with her grandchildren. Erma owned and operated a daycare and preschool for almost 20 years and has cared for thousands of children. She is also a cancer survivor. Erma enjoys reaching out to all with love - the true meaning of motherhood.
MAINE Elaine Reed Allen was born in 1942 and was Albert and Rowena Reed’s only girl with two brothers. Elaine was a good student, active in plays and public speaking. She married Lendell Allen at age 16 and is the proud mother of six, grandmother of twelve and great grandmother of five. Elaine received her GED in 1968, her LPN from Maine School of Practical Nursing in 1972. She has worked for Franklin Hospital, a home for severe and profoundly retarded children and returned to nursing school when her youngest went to college. In 1992. she received her RN status and went to work for Home Health, specializing in Pediatrics. She retired in 2003 as the MDS Coordinator for nursing homes. Being a mother is Elaine’s most satisfying accomplishment.
NEBRASKA Julie Hubbard Lemons was born in Wichita, Kansas. She met her high school sweetheart, Jesse Lemons in rural Dearborn, Missouri. They were married in 1979 and lived in Kansas City, Missouri where Jesse worked for a large printing company. They were blessed with two children and four grandchildren. Julie has worked as a graphic designer for 25 years. She presently works for the Lincoln Public School District. Julie has served in church pastoral and leadership positions, Cub Scouts, PTA and is president of the Lincoln Artists’ Guild. She is also vice-president of the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs.
NEVADA Born in Utah to Bill and Margaret Pope, Patrice moved with her family to Iran and has traveled world-wide. Her family thrived as they depended on one another. She developed a love and respect for diverse peoples and cultures and a profound gratitude for family and country. Patrice learned that strong families are powerful and that mothers have great influence. In college, She joined Angle Flight, a service organization, and became a Big Sister/mentor. Patrice graduated Valedictorian and went to law school, where she married her best friend, Wayne. Together they have four children and five grandchildren. Patrice has served in her church, school, and community and recognizes that her most important work happened within the four walls of her own home.
NEW HAMPSHIRE With five sisters, Valerie Earnshaw understands the power of woman. By high school graduation, Valerie had lived in 11 homes, 6 states and attended 8 different schools. Talk about lessons in embracing diversity. Valerie graduated from college with degrees in Business Finance and Humanities including 6 months spent in Vienna, Austria. She then joined Electronic Data Systems in a management training program working in Dallas, Frankfurt, Germany and Washington DC. There she met and married her husband, Scott when he whisked her off to Tokyo where they spent most of the next 12 years having and raising their four children in that fast paced, multi-cultural environment. Seeking a quieter life, the Earnshaw's moved to New Hampshire where they currently reside with their family.
NEW JERSEY Jo Ann Peopples has been a registered nurse for thirty-five years in Atlantic County. She has a Bachelors degree in Nursing and a Bachelors in Health. Her community involvement includes numerous workshops, empowering women and health presentations for churches, schools and agencies within New Jersey and Delaware. JoAnn and her sister have coordinated an annual Christian Women’s retreat for the past seventeen years. JoAnn is also a retired Major of the US Army Reserves and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. JoANn believes that community service is an obligation.
NEW YORK Barbara Hennessy was born in Rochester, New York and was the eldest of 4 children. After graduating from high school in 1967, she entered the work force at a local bank. Two years later she married her husband, James and continued working until their first child was born in 1972. In 1973, they moved from Rochester, 40 miles south to Conesus Lake where they live today. Raising 2 daughters and a son on a lake means summers filled with swimming, fishing and boating and winters full of ice skating and sledding. Along with cub scouts, involvement in after school sports, and band boosters, Barbara was a Girl Scout leader and a camp director. Barbara now divides her time between reading, sewing, church activities, and with her husband of 40 years, enjoys being a grandparent to 12 wonderful grandchildren ages 18 months to 19 years.
NORTH DAKOTA Sally and Carlyle Hillstrom have been married for 42 years. they have one son and three daughters; their children are all married with families of their own. Sally and Carlyle have been blessed with nine grandchildren. As parents, family has always been the center of their lives. They love their role as grandparents and attend many school, church and sports activities to show their love and support. As a mother of four small children, Sally managed to cultivate a loving home environment where their children learned to respect and trust one another and others. Outside of the home she partnered with Carlyle to grow a successful family farm business and instilled the importance of hard work, perseverance and partnership in all of their children. Their children have passed down these traits to the grandchildren who love to visit the farm.
OKLAHOMA Mary Cutter was raised and educated in Texas. She attended TWC, majoring in Elementary Education. In 1961 she married her husband Duane and together they had one daughter, while adopting two infant daughters and a ten year old son. Mary considers them all Gods jewels to be treasured. Mary became a stay at home mom when her husband received his CPA certificate and Oklahoma has been their home for most of their 48 years together. Mary is active in her church and volunteers at the City Rescue Mission, the American Red Cross and has volunteered in schools as a foster parent. She and her husband are known for their generous hospitality.
OREGON Born August 8, 1962 in Portland, Oregon, Shelly married her best friend, John Brady in 1984. they are the parents of six and grandparents of two. After spending two decades working for a disabled friend, in 2002 Shelly wrote the New York Times best selling book “Ten Things I learned from Bill Porter” and was creative consultant on the Emmy award winning move, “Door-To-Door”. Shelly has spent 15 years as a motivational speaker, sharing Bill’s inspirational story across the country. In 2009, Shelly was selected as the commencement speaker at her graduation from Portland State University with a B.S. in Arts and Letters. She and John celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by running a marathon. Shelly currently spends time volunteering in her church and community.
PUERTO RICO Elba Violeta Rivera de Ruiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Santiago and Adela Rivera. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a BA in Science and Math and holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. Elba married Gilberto Ruiz and they have been blessed with three wonderful sons and six grandchildren. From an early age Elba has loved working with children and been very committed to making a difference in her community. Belonging to more than 20 civic organizations, Elba has received numerous plaques and certificates that honor her leadership and immense dedication.
SOUTH CAROLINA Annette Sutcliffe was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Finishing high school with honors, she entered a two year college business program, but after one year married Edward Carter and had three beautiful children. Fourteen years later, tragedy truck Annette with the death of her husband in an auto accident. Four years later she met and married Linnie Sutcliffe, who had custody of his five children, thereby putting their two families together. Annette has volunteered for her church and in her community stating that her life's testimony is evidence of the fact that putting two families together in a loving relationship can be done with God's help.
TEXAS Nova Clawson Festervan was born on a family farm near Flat in Coryell County, Texas. She is the youngest of a large and loving family and participated in farm chores and assisted with the housework and gardening. In this environment, Nova learned the value and the blessing of hard work, faith, thrift, cooperation, patriotism and community participation. Nova moved to San Marcos where she enrolled in Southwest Texas State Teachers College where she met and married her husband, Ben Festervan. She worked at the First National Bank of San Marcos and was their Executive Vice President. Nova has devoted time to community and church activities and organized the Hands of Hope which offers a hand up to underprivileged, undereducated women in an effort to move them toward self sufficiency. She also serves on the board of directors at the Price Seniors Center in San Marcos. Nova and her late husband, Ben have one daughter.
UTAH Shirley K. Tong was born in Kahuku, Hawaii and was one of five siblings. Graduating from Kahuku High School, Shirley earned her BFA at Illinois Wesleyan University and has a MA from BYU in Painting and Design. After serving a mission in Japan for her church, she taught high school art. Shirley married Norman Tong on September 17, 1964 in Los Angeles, California and they quickly became parents of six children. Shirley has twenty-one precious grandchildren. Her childhood dream of being a mother and a domestic queen came true though the journey was difficult. But, what she has learned and become through trials is worth more than gold. Shirley is happiest with her loving family, her greatest treasures. She resides in Orem, Utah.
VERMONT Born June 5, 1954, Carolyn Whitney Branagan grew up on a Vermont dairy farm and graduated from the University of Vermont with a BS and M.Ed. Carolyn married Christopher Branagan in 1976, taught school served as teaching principal then left her work to raise their three children. Carolyn has been involved in her community in many capacities, serving on the local school board, supervisory union board, town moderator, and officer for the local soup kitchen. She has also been a Director for the Franklin County Board of Home Health and a Trustee for the University of Vermont. She is currently serving a fourth term in the Vermont House of Representatives and is a ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee. She is a 35 year member of Georgia Plain Baptist Church.
WASHINGTON Lynne West was born in Seattle, Washington but spent most of her childhood in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The second of eight children, those early years were full of hard work and discovery with picking crops in the summer, playing the violin with VIP Strings and marketing her handcrafted jewelry. Lynne left home at 18 to attend college, married David West and returned to Salem, Oregon to begin a career with State Farm Insurance. Lynne moved to Washington after accepting the opportunity to relocate with State Farm. She also resumed her jewelry business. She and her husband have three sons and one daughter and they continue to live in a 100 year old home in Olympia with their three dogs.
WEST VIRGINIA Susan Larsen was born and raised in Idaho, the youngest of five children. She met and married her husband, Eldon, during her university years. Susan graduated cum laude from BYU with a B.S. Degree in Family Economics and Home Management. Susan and Eldon had five children while Eldon continued to work on his Master's Degree form BYU and PhD from the University of California at Berkeley. They moved to Charleston, West Virginia and had four more children. Susan feels that being a loving wife and mother is the highest achievement she could strive for. She has always been home with her children and not worked outside the home. She has nurtured, encouraged and transported all of her children in music, sports, scouting, newspaper routes and church activities. Susan has five married children and eighteen grandchildren, where her influence continues to be felt.