Lynda Light , Alaska State Mother of the Year 2011
Lynda Light is the youngest of eight children. After receiving her Associates Degree in Home Economics Education from Ricks College, she transferred to Brigham Young University where she met her husband, Martin. They were married the following summer and have eight children together. Her leadership skills have proven helpful in running a “Readasaurous” reading incentive program, managing a City League basketball program, chairing a Halloween carnival, and organizing a Bi-State Youth Conference. Lynda has served President of the Young Women’s and Primary organizations of her church. As a featured speaker at many functions, Lynda has inspired many listeners with her experiences of faith, optimism, love and service.
Myrna Sevey Sheppard, Arizona State Mother of the Year 2011
Myrna Sevey Sheppard was raised in a farming family in Arizona. She earned her bachelor of arts in education from Arizona State University, and taught school for several years after marrying Bill Sheppard. Myrna became a stay-at-home mom to seven children, serving on multiple PTA boards and volunteering in her children’s classrooms. She served on the Gilbert School Board for 16 years and often spoke before Legislative committees as the President of the Arizona School Boards Association. She was founding Clerk of President of a Vocational High School Board. Having a daughter with Down Syndrome led Myrna to champion the cause of the disabled. She is now teaching school again and continues to serve her church and other organizations. Myrna has 17 grandchildren
Karen Veda Mann Nelson , California State Mother of the Year 2011
Karen Veda Mann Nelson was born in California, and has also lived in Arizona, Washington DC, Utah, Boston, Seattle, Venezuela, and London. In 1974, she married Jim Nelson on November 27, 1974 while they were attending college. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities. Karen gave birth to ten children, ranging in age from 35 to 10 years. She has been active in scouts, church, sports and community affairs. She has involved her children in her personal pursuits, which has served as a springboard for discovering their own interests and in learning the value of hard work.
Terri Nellans Brown - Delaware Mother of the Year 2011
Terri was born in Dover, Delaware and has lived there most of her life. She was raised by her single full-time working mother after her father was reported missing in action when she was 4 years old. Her mother remarried when Terri was 12. She has one older brother and 2 half-brothers. She was fortunate to have strong women role models in her life including her mother, paternal grandmother and her best friend's stay-at-home mother. These women helped shape Terri's perspective on what motherhood was all about. Terri is an active mother of two daughters. She participates in many community activities including many in her church. She enjoys playing hand bells and not only plays in the adult hand bell choir, but she directs the youth hand bell choir at her church. She keeps herself active by Jazzercising with other energetic women at least four times a week.
Ernestine Allen, District of Columbia Mother of the Year 2011
Ernestine Allen grew up in Louisburg, North Carolina and is the tenth of 18 children. She earned a Bachelors' degree in Elementary Education from the University of the District of Columbia and a Masters' Degree in Education Administration from Trinity College. Ernestine has been a teacher for the last 20 years, has achieved an Administrative Service Credential (principals' license), and is a certified HIV counselor and tester. She and her husband of 42 years are members of The Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church, where they are Elders on the Ministerial Alliance and pre-marital and marriage counselors. They also established a Bereaved Parent Support Group after the death of their youngest son. Ernestine visits the Fairview Women’s Facility monthly to minister and inspire the women on pursuing a better life. She is the mother of two adult sons and grandmother of six.
Terri Thomas Brown, Georgia State Mother of the Year 2011
Terri Thomas Brown was born in Atlanta, Georgia and now lives in Stone Mountain with her husband Cedric Brown and their three daughters- Niquelle, Sheereen, and Raianna. Terri received her early education in private and public schools where she always enjoyed art and science classes. She received her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Biology from Clark Atlanta University. Terri began her professional career in laboratory research and clinical science, and then switched to science education. She became an electron microscopist in the Fembank Science Center (FSC) Scientific Tools and Techniques program. She also coordinates the partnership between FSC and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) Morehouse School of Medicine Education and Public Outreach Program (MSM-EPOP). Through this partnership Terri developed the NSBRI-MSM-EPOP Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers After School Science Program targeting elementary and middle school students in need of science enrichment.
Claire Loo Nakatsuka , Hawaii State Mother of the Year 2011
Claire Loo Nakatsuka grew up in Hawaii and attended the University of Hawaii, where she was a Senator with the Associated Students and part of the school newspaper. She later transferred and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has been a pharmaceutical representative with Merck & Co. for the past 30 years and has earned two Vice President’s Awards and many Awards for Excellence. She married Craig H. Nakatsuka in 1985 and they have four sons together. In addition to her career and family, Claire is a Sunday School teacher, Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster, BSA Aquatics instructor and property manager. She is also engaged in volunteer work at parks, public schools, and hospital housing.
Virginia Corder, Idaho State Mother of the Year 2011
Virginia Corder was raised on the acreage her grandfather had homesteaded in 1902. She took piano and accordion lessons as a child and frequently sang in church. Virginia married John Stephens in 1982 and they had two daughters, Kari and Vicki. Virginia served on the school board and as school treasurer at the girls’ school. She also helped with Christmas programs and other activities. Her husband died from complications of diabetes in 1999 and, for two years, Virginia had to learn the art of single parenting. In 2001 she married Roy Corder. Virginia has worked as a church secretary for 12 years. She enjoys reading, knitting and listening to music.
Nancy Joy Keppy Meyer, Iowa State Mother of the Year 2011
Nancy graduated from North Scott High School in Eldridge, Iowa and married Ronald Meyer in 1962. They have two daughters, Rhonda and Roxanne, and two grandchildren. Nancy worked full-time as a Special Education Aide for 12 years, as well as several part-time jobs. She is a member of the Faith Lutheran Church, serving as Chairman of the Altar Guild, communion assistant, greeter, usher, and past Sunday School teacher. She has been active in Pork Producer's, Farm Bureau, PTA, Cancer and Heart Funds, 4-H leader, Poll Watcher, took part in "Buddy Walk" and "Up With Families", Special Olympics coach and chaperone, helping with National Games. Nancy enjoys helping all children and special needs adults to reach their full potential.
Shari Barber- Kansas State Mother of the Year 2011
Born in Davenport, IA, Shari Barber was the third child of seven born to Neal and Kay Lewis. Shari attended BYU, met and married David Barber and together they have six children. For the past 23 years, Shari has used her musical talents to teach piano lessons, assist local schools with music programs, instrumental competitions, volunteering in her children’s classes and substitute teaching. She has worked as a BSA Den Mother, served in her church as president of the children’s organization, the women’s organization and the young women’s organization. With two children still at home, motherhood continues to be her primary focus.
Susan F. Hill, Kentucky State Mother of the Year 2011
Susan Hill is former President and CEO of Diabetes Care & Education, a company she founded in 1996. At 19 years of age, Susan was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and she focused on learning all she could about the disease and sharing her knowledge with others. Susan received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Vanderbilt University and a Masters Degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Brigham Young University. Between degrees, Susan served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Boston, Massachusetts. She married her husband Robert in 1981 and they have three children: Liz, John and Chris. Susan enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom while volunteering at church and directing day camps for children with diabetes. Presently, she is Director of Public Affairs for her Church in Kentucky and on the Board of Eastern Area Community Ministries.
Nona Rae' (Miller) Haynie, Missouri State Mother of the Year 2011
Nona Rae’ Haynie is the ninth of ten siblings raised in Bountiful, Utah. She attended Brigham Young University (BYU) with a semester at BYU Hawaii. Taking a leave from studies, she served an 18 month mission in Osorno Chili, learning to speak and teach in Spanish. Returning to BYU, she met and married her husband Dan. Nona Rae’ taught second grade at Alta View Elementary School in Sandy, Utah for three years. Nona Rae’ and Dan moved to Branson, Missouri in 1987 to purchase a motel and start a family business. The motel office was home, which enabled Nona Rae’ to assist her husband and be a stay-at-home mom. The business expanded and the family grew to include three sons and three daughters. Though busy at the motel, Nona Rae’ finds time for involvement in PTO, POGS, and booster clubs in conjunction with her children's extra curricular activities. Nona Rae's dedication to the betterment of home and community is exemplified by this same dedication to family and service to others.
Charlotte Endorf , Nebraska State Mother of the Year 2011
Charlotte was the "mother hen" and oldest of four children. She met her husband in their graduating class of 16 students. They attended community college and worked in the corporate world, then settled down to raise their son and daughter. Their daughter has been ill with Lyme Disease for the last six years. She lost her memory, but with persistence, prayer and positivity, her condition continues to improve. Charlotte recently completed her seventh book, which discusses the beginning of foster care and adoption in the 1800’s.
Rose Woodbury, Nevada Mother of the Year 2011
Rose Woodbury was born August 5, 1944 in Las Vegas, Nevada to a rancher and a former one-room schoolhouse teacher. The historic "Old Ranch" was her first home, where her hobbies included swimming, climbing silos, building haystack forts, riding horses and collecting frogs from the ditch. Rose received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Utah. She married Bruce Woodbury, her Junior Prom Queen escort, in 1964. They have seven children and eighteen grandchildren. Rose is Executive Director of a choral organization and enjoys grandchildren, singing, sewing, skiing, kayaking and gardening. Her favorite thing about motherhood is watching children discover what they can accomplish on their own.
Stella Chan, New York State Mother of the Year 2011
Born in Hong Kong, Stella Chan was the fifth of eight children. In 1967, her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Brooklyn, New York. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Brooklyn College. After marrying David Chan in 1979, she devoted her life to raising their five children. She encouraged her children from an early age to love music and excel in school. Her oldest three children are accomplished musicians with careers in the computer field. Her fourth child has Autism, but with Stella's help as aide and tutor, she recently graduated with honors from Schenectady County Community College and works as an analyst at Pace Analytical Labs. With her youngest child, age 13, Stella is involved in school and other activities, along with serving others in the community.
Joletta Schmidt, North Dakota State Mother of the Year 2011
Joletta Schmidt grew up on a farm east of St. Anthony . She received a teaching degree from Dickinson State College in 1966 and began her teaching career. Two years later, she married Reynard Schmidt, with whom she had six children. When their youngest child was two years old, Joletta returned to teaching and taught kindergarten for the next thirty years. Through the years, she supported her children’s activities in school and church. Joletta and Reynard have fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Miki Farris,
Oklahoma State Mother of the Year 2011
Miki Farris’ early childhood experiences and struggles as a single parent have made a positive impact on her devotion to her children and to hundreds of thousands of needy children in her community. Miki is an Oklahoma State University graduate, an active member of United Methodist Church of the Servant, and has served on various community boards. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Infant Crisis Services, a non-profit organization that has provided basic necessities for nearly 150,000 needy babies and toddlers in Oklahoma City since 1984. Miki has been happily married to Jim Farris for 16 years and they have four children. She has been very involved in her children's activities over the years, and her life’s work and advice to her them is guided by a quote from Mother Teresa – “We can do no great things; only small things with great love."
Jacki Hunlow,
Oregon State Mother of the Year 2011
Jacki Hunlow works to bring to light the power of virtuous women worldwide through service and art. Jacki shares her talents to bless the lives of others. Her national award-winning artwork pays respect to and illustrates the dignity of womanhood and family. By 2010, donations of her paintings to organizations serving mothers and families had raised over $255,000. Jacki created the Mothers' Legacy Project which includes telling stories of mothers and blessing mothers in need. In 2009, she partnered with a Portland State University committee to create the "Walk of the Heroines Garden" and received the “Women and Their Influence For Good” award from the Worldwide Organization for Women the Education Award. Jacki has actively served for over forty years in her church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Of all her accomplishments, the greatest joy and reward in life is her family.
Norma Iris Colon-Marchese Moy, Puerto Rico Mother of the Year 2011
Norma is the youngest of five children, born in San German. She studied Secretarial Sciences and Business at Inter American University in San German, where she initiated her professional career after completing her degree. In 1966, she married Edwin Rivera and together they have raised three children: Adelmarie, who died in a car accident; Edwin Sydney; and Nored. Norma works as an administrative Office at Inter American University with the CCAMPIS Program. Throughout her life, Norma has show civic conscience, responsibility and passion for family, friends, community and work. She has nine grandchildren.
Marianna Black Habisreutinger,
South Carolina Mother of the Year 2011
Marianna Black Habisreutinger was born in Spartanburg, SC, joining the seventh generation of her family - a legacy of farmers and physicians that emigrated from Ireland and Scotland. Their profound connection to the land and their healing gifts became her inheritance. Warm, loving, compassionate, committed, gracious and elegant - these are all attributes of Marianna. A graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, Marianna taught school before marrying Roger Habisreutinger in 1968. She is the mother of three adult children and two beautiful grandchildren, adroitly balancing home life and a commitment to her community. Marianna currently serves on numerous boards in her community and throughout the state, continuing decades of volunteerism devoted primarily to the arts, access to healthcare, and higher education.
Marjorie (Marge) Thurgood Barton, Texas State Mother of the Year 2011
Marjorie grew up farming in Syracuse, Utah, where she learned the values of thriftiness, industry, and teamwork. While attending Webster State, Marjorie married Wes Barton and together they raised ten children. Her service and work outside the home includes: leadership roles in PTA, Presidency roles of NAHB Auxiliary, Vice President of Wes Barton Construction Company, campaign work and Precinct Chairman work, President of her own research business, establishing a community American Mothers group, editing the Mother's Observer, lecturing on parenting skills, coordinating summer camps for teenage girls, and serving three missions for her church. She currently presides over Texas AMI. Marge also enjoys hosting tea parties for any of her 33 grandchildren.
Sally Ann Fitzgerald Olsen, Utah Mother of the Year 2011
Sally Ann Fitzgerald Olsen was born July 6, 1951 in San Diego, California and grew up in Walnut Creek. She attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and met Maynard Olsen. They married in the Oakland, California temple on July 30, 1971 and have eight daughters and four sons - Dan, Angela, Nathan, Adam, Lani, Lori, Tim, Lacy, Sheree, Sarah, Marie and Jaylene. Her husband is a family practice physician and his medical training took them to North Carolina, New Jersey, and Hawaii. They lived in San Diego for 18 years before they settled in Orem, Utah. They were called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where Maynard presided over the Texas Houston mission for three years. They currently reside in Orem, Utah and rejoice over their 12 children and 27 grand-children, ages 6 months to 14 years.
Sharlet R. Bouchelle, Virginia State Mother of the Year 2011
Raised in a military family which involved frequent moves, Sharlet Rowley Bouchelle learned at an early age the value of a strong nuclear family. She learned the importance of placing family first and of providing a secure atmosphere at home while also getting quickly involved in the current "home" community. Having married another who loved to see the world, they have raised and taught their four wonderful children in Georgia, South Korea, the People's Republic of China and Virginia. Together they have enjoyed each stage of family growth, and the joy of learning, loving and laughing together. While she cherishes her hobbies of music, reading and enjoying the blessings of small town life, being a mother is truly her "favorite thing to do."