Our New "Mother of Accomplishment in Government"

Press Release from the Governor's Office

Governor Jan Brewer Honored as Arizona “Mother of Accomplishment in Government”

National Mothers Organization Recognizes Governor for Dual Role as Mother, Elected Official  

           

            PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today was honored by American Mothers, Inc. (AMI), with the “Mother of Accomplishment in Government” Award.

            The non-profit organization, whose mission is to promote the important role of motherhood through educational and community outreach, recognized the Governor for her “worthy contribution to her family, home and outstanding service to her community.”

            “To meet such a strong, inspirational group of mothers today was an honor in and of itself,” said Governor Brewer. “To then be recognized and awarded by these same women was icing on the cake. I am appreciative of the work American Mothers, Inc., does across the country to empower women and strengthen the American family. I’ve always said serving as Governor has been the honor of my life, second only to my most cherished role: Mother."

            AMI began as an idea to heal the damage done to American families as a result of the Civil War. That idea grew into a national observance now known as Mother’s Day, for which AMI is the official sponsor.

            The group was officially organized in 1950 as a division of the Golden Rule Foundation. It became an independent, non-profit organization in 1954. Since then, AMI has annually named a remarkable Mother of the Year from nominees among the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

            For more information on the organization – or to find out what you can do in your community – visit  http://www.americanmothers.org. 

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AZAMI would like to thank our member, Diane Matthews, a former AZ and National Mother of the Year, for all her help in coordinating with the Governor's office so we could present this award to  Governor Brewer.

Mother of Achievement

Meet our 2013 Mother of Achievement - Mari Goodman

Born the oldest of four children in South Jordan, Utah., Mari Goodman learned the value of family unity at her mother’s knees. After high school, Mari attended Brigham Young University, where she met and married Paul while they were both working on their Bachelor's of Science Degrees in Chemical Engineering.  Christina was born during the middle of their Senior year, so Mari eagerly took some time off to be a mom and then finished her degree 18 months later.  2003 brought exciting changes for her family: Sarah was born in February, Paul defended his PhD dissertation in June and they moved to Flagstaff in July where Paul obtained employment at W.L. Gore & Associates.  She and her husband have been licensed foster parents and respite care providers since 2005, being the foster parents of eleven children.  As a foster mother, she has had opportunities to help children and their families, by working with the families of children in her care and by establishing a clothing exchange in Northern Arizona for foster families.  She is currently in the middle of her training to become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children in foster care. 

Mari's service reaches beyond her family and the foster care system to the community around her.  She has been actively involved in her girl's schools since Christina started kindergarten.  Her level of involvement has varied, depending on the needs of the teachers: from working with small groups of children, to leading groups on field trips at the Grand Canyon, to office work.  One year, she was an adult mentor for a fourth grade student who came from a very challenging back ground.  She worked with him several days a week for a full semester, basically striving to keep him in school and get back up to grade level performance.

Another aspect of Mari's community service has been with the annual Flagstaff Faith in Action Day, where people of many different faiths come together to provide service throughout the community.  During the past few years, Mari has organized and coordinated one of the many projects as part of this city-wide event.  One year, she helped create a safe and family-type setting for a visitation room for CPS.  The project transformed the room from a large storage room with a couch to a family room, with a couch, toys, books, games, table and chairs, and murals on the walls.

Mari has actively served within her church organization in many different capacities.  She has led the women's organization of about 150 women for almost 4 years, in which time she has taught classes, organized humanitarian aid projects, and supported women and their families.  She currently enjoys working with a lively children's class of ten three year olds on Sundays, coloring, telling stories, and loving the kids.

Mari’s latest undertaking is a joint business venture with her sister.  They opened a small business two years ago, providing jobs and giving back to the community.

Mother Theresa once said, "Never worry about numbers.  Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."  In all that she does, Mari exemplifies this attitude to all those around her.

Two Arizona Mothers Honored

Two outstanding mothers have been cited by the Arizona Association of American Mothers as
exemplary role models for Arizona Mothers.

Judy Ward was named 2013 Arizona Mother of the Year and Tammy Passey was named 2013
Arizona Young Mother of the Year, at the Arizona American Mothers Gala on February 7th at the
Wright House In Mesa.

Judy Ward was raised in Twin Falls, Idaho, and was married in 1965 to Grant Ward. Soon after
their marriage, they moved to Mesa because of her husband’s employment, and have lived here
ever since.
Judy has seven children, five sons and two daughters, and 34 grandchildren with one on
the way. She was involved in the PTO and as a room mother while her children were in grade
school. She attended Little League games for 25 years straight.

While her children were in high school, Judy was active in the Booster Club, as all of her
boys played three sports, and later on, two of them played college football. One of her daughters
received a degree in Elementary Education, while the other attended Utah State, majoring in
Public Relations.

Judy taught Kindergarten for three years and Preschool for 21 years. She served in her
church being responsible for the women’s organization, young women’s organization and the
childrens program. She taught reading to adults three days a week and served as a Cub Scout
Leader.

When asked how motherhood has impacted her life Judy responded with this comment:
”Motherhood has given me joy not temporary happiness, but deep rooted enduring joy. How
has being a mother impacted my life? Being a wife and mother is my life.”

Tamara Passey grew up in Massachusetts and as the youngest of seven children she
has always had a strong love of family. Writing has been her favorite hobby and family members
have usually been her source of inspiration. She won awards for poetry in high school and has
had an article and poem accepted for publication in The Ensign magazine.

While studying English at Brigham Young University she met, and later married Steven
Passey. They have lived in Arizona since 1997 and are the parents of three children. They love
to call Arizona home, and she says they’ve been married 20 happy years and counting.
Tamara has spent time volunteering at the schools her children attend. She has also
mentored young women and served in an international organization that aids women. She has
volunteered for the Donor Network of Arizona and is a contributor of marriage and parenting
articles for FamilyShare.com.

A few of the many things she enjoys about being a mom include doing almost anything
creative with her children, though she claims they are craftier than she. Having a sit down
breakfast when everyone is home is a favorite family activity. She loves story time, family hugs,
and seeing her children’s beautiful smiles.

Interview with 2013 Mother of Special Needs Children

Here is an interview with Tenille Avery, our 2013 Mother of Special Needs Children:

 1.  What are your children diagnosed with?  What are their ages?

Bryon was diagnosed at age 4 with "severe autism". Timothy was also diagnosed at age 4 with "moderately severe autism".
2.  What are the limitations or challenges your children have?

We have some severe speech delays. Bryon has the speech of a 4 or 5 year old. He uses a lot of memorized phrases that are sometimes out of context. Neither spoke before they were 4. Additionally, Bryon is not yet fully potty trained and he has a hyper gag reflex and a texture aversion. He cannot/doesn't chew. He lives on a diet of instant oatmeal, macaroni and cheese mixed with baby food, yogurt, pudding, and applesauce. He has difficulty gaining weight and is nutrient deficient. We supplement with pediasure. Timothy's speech is great and he is now a stickler for enunciation, though sometimes he decides how a word is pronounced and will not change his mind. He is incredibly stubborn. We struggle with just about everything because if he doesn't want to do, it is not getting done. He tends to be more angry and aggressive; almost the exact opposite of Bryon in every way.
3.  How does this effect your home/personal life?

It effects everything. We were a non verbal household for years. We used a lot of picture cues and did a lot of guessing. Ultimately, my daughter had a speech delay and was in special education until this year. Bryon's diet and Timothy's stubbornness means I cook up to 5 different dinners every night. I still change the diapers of a 9 year old. We have extra locks on our door and an alarm that chimes when we open a door because Timothy is a runner and if Bryon got out alone, he would not be able to tell anyone his name or where he lived or my name or phone number. My children run a very high risk of exploitation. Bryon gets sick more often and worse than most children because of his poor diet. There are still some very frustrating moments because communicating with my boys is still very difficult. I don't have a personal life. :) I can't.
4.  As a mother, how do you view or see your children?

For all our difficulty, I see my children as perfect. They are little pieces of heaven that sometimes kick me in the face when they don't want to put on their shoes.
5.  How do you view your job as a mother to children with special needs?

My job as a mother is never ending. It was tough to realize that Bryon will never leave my home. That I will have to make arrangements for him after I die because he won't be able to live independently. I have very high hopes for Timothy. He is somewhat of a genius. It is truly a full time job. Between school, meetings, and therapies, it seems like I have something everyday for my kids.
6.  How do you keep sane or what keeps you going when life gets hard?

Sanity is overrated. I read or go to the gym. Sometimes I just turn on my iPod and crank up the volume. Xanax. Lots and lots of Xanax.
7.  What are some funny things that have happened with your children?

So many things. My kids are hilarious. I know they don't usually mean to be, but they are. Some of the things they say crack me up. We have started keeping a journal of all the crazy things they say. Timothy loves to tell people to "Stop stepping on my moment" when he feels they are upstaging him. I asked him one day what he wanted for dinner, he responded with "Nothing, I am afraid of getting fat."
8. What is the hardest thing to cope with?

The hardest thing to cope with would be my own feelings of inadequacy and failure. I am not equipped for special needs kids. It is very stressful and I always feel like I am doing something wrong. Then I feel guilty for being stressed and I am sure that almost anyone else could to this better than me.

 My life is hard. I laugh a lot because if I don't, I cry. I don't want to be pitied, but I have a difficult time being praised because I feel so undeserving of people's admiration. People often tell me that they could never do what I do. They could, especially when they have to. It's your child. I get frustrated when people say that they are just glad that their kids are "healthy". Believe me, when they are not "healthy" or "typical", you love them even more. You feel an insanely fierce need to protect them. Bryon is my oldest, so this is all I know. I am on a serious learning curve with my "typical" daughter. I can parent autistic kids. Typical is new for me.

Thank you Tenille, for your honesty and bravery.  You are doing a great work within the walls of your home.