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“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” —Jill Churchill
Mother's Day is a special time of year dedicated to celebrating and honoring the incredible women in our lives who have shaped us, nurtured us, and supported us through thick and thin. It's a day filled with love, gratitude, and the recognition of the endless sacrifices and boundless love that mothers around the world provide their children.
As we approach this heartfelt holiday, it's important to reflect on the ways we can show our appreciation and make this Mother's Day memorable for the extraordinary women we are lucky enough to call Mom and those who are mother figures.
This Mother’s Day, we would like to take a moment and recognize the mothers of the Goodwill of Greater Washington community who have helped shape our team members into the individuals they are today and those team members who are now shaping the lives of the future.
Mother’s Day Spotlight:
Dr. Chelsea Kirk, Executive Director of The Goodwill Excel Center
Who would you like to acknowledge this Mother’s Day? - First and foremost, my mom! As a new mom, there is nothing more special than watching your mom with your kid. My mom has provided so much support to me and my family as we learn our new normal and she has been such an amazing presence and energy for us. We are beyond grateful! I also want to shout out all of the GEC and GGW Moms who have given me amazing advice and wisdom and have provided me the opportunity and the space to take in the new mom life. I am so very grateful for the large community of moms I have near and far!
Career advice from a Mother’s perspective - I am only 3 months into mom life, and what I can say now is give yourself grace, let yourself adjust to each phase of it all, and enjoy it! Ah, I can also say - take your maternity leave and truly detach, let that be the time for you and your family and work will be ready for you when you return!
Words of wisdom - The above + what I have experienced is that there's nothing more powerful than your community when they show up for you during your postpartum period - the check-ins, calls, support, and all of it - that was something to really take in!
Emaunie Hall, Communications Specialist
Who would you like to acknowledge this Mother’s Day? – Of course, I would like to acknowledge my mom! I am so very grateful for all the love and support she has provided (and still provides) to me. Now that I am a mother myself, I appreciate the space she has created for me to grow, learn, and lean on her when needed as I navigate this new “mom life.”
Career advice from a Mother’s perspective – Being that my children are 4 years old and 8 months old, I have not entered that stage of motherhood yet. However, when the time comes, I would share the encouraging words my mother has provided me and my siblings as we began to enter our careers. “Work with what you are passionate about. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.” "Be prepared for whatever may come your way and be open to new opportunities." "Continue to grow and learn in your career, and you'll see the fruits of your labor."
Carolyn Becker, Director of Communications & Community Engagement
"I would like to shout out a few new Mothers who never stop inspiring me to live a life full of purpose, passion, and community.
I have had the honor of watching two of my best friends, Molly and Sara, begin raising their daughters. It’s been a priceless experience to witness how they share their extraordinary traits and values through motherhood. Molly and Sara, Thank you for being you, especially as you navigate this new phase in life! I am excited to see your daughters become our future leaders—leaders like you already are.
P.S. Both Sara and Molly are thrifters and Goodwill supporters, too!"
Continue reading for words of wisdom from mothers of Goodwill of Greater Washington that have been shared in prior years and still resonate with many today.
Jacqueline Young, Goodwill’s AP/AR Specialist on our Finance Team, shares the honest words from her Mom, Alberta Young, who passed away in December of 2019.
“I have three brothers and two sisters and my Mom always told us…” when people are kind to you, don’t take it lightly because people don’t have to be nice.” It’s a simplistic view but nonetheless, so true and I cherish her words to this day.”
Colleen Paletta, Goodwill of Greater Washington’s Chief Integration Officer, is a mother to two wonderful children.
“When people ask what it’s like to balance a demanding job while raising two very busy children—I say it’s hard and life is very full. The truth is many days work takes priority, many days my kids take priority, and some days both seem to get just the right amount of attention. How I keep going is by making sure I have a strong village of support—at work and home. No one can “do it all” on their own. For me having a great partner in my husband, surrounding myself with friends and family I can count on, and working with the incredible people that I do at Goodwill each day is what allows me to come close to “doing it all.” This Mother’s Day I thank all the villages out there supporting us working moms—we need you—and to all the working moms who think they are not doing well either at work or home- build your village and just keep going!”
