Mother’s Day began back in 1908, when a daughter wanted to celebrate and recognize her late mother. What a concept!

Today’s message is simple – I would like to celebrate all the mothers that came before me – one of the main reasons why I’m here today.

Jeannette Gobin	Irene Matthew	Mary Irving	Effie Press
Marguerite Ricard	Stella Hartford	Cynthia Lasher	Elizabeth Barnard
Marie Kervinio	Emma Matthew	Elizabeth J. Dixon	Elizabeth Beevor
Marie Carrière	Martha Tuck	Sarah Mann	Eliza Lord/Loyd
Marie Dacquay	Anne Thomas	Hannah Sharp	Elizabeth Howard
Judith Gauthier	Jane Treloar	Mary Rae	Elizabeth Barker
Adeline Jacques	Sarah Thompson	Susan Copple	Mary Ann Elvin
Marie-Ann Le Roux	Drucilla Bradley	Catherine Messick	Sophia Banham
Marie Philippe	Margaret Hill	Beta Van Alen	Elizabeth Bradfield
Marie-Madel Morin	Sarah Eddy	Elizabeth Constable	Anne Riches
Angélique Girard	Charity Williams	Anna Deterick	Jemima Mear
Marie Emery	Jennifer Martin	Alida Van Alen	Susanna Youngman
Ursule Letourneau	Dorothy Burk	Annatje VanDeusen	Esther Cross
Mathurin Kerhalgand	Sara Byrne	Rebeckah Hotchkiss	Sarah Bullen
Anne Le Dilhuit	Martha Bolter	Elizabeth Dixon	Sarah Archer
Marguerite Hemon	Deborah Tripp	Charity Mallory	Lydia Porter
Yvonne Peuron		Anna Wilheim	Mary Rayson
		Elizabeth Pfautz
		Mary Waymire

All these women are mothers, and span over five generations in my family tree that have brought me to where I am today. Many of these women lived under very rough conditions, lost children and husbands, and left us way too young. However, without these women before me, I would not be here today.

There are many mothers in my life through extended family and great friends. They are a true support to all mothers around them and especially to me. There are countless women in my family and friends that do not have children. They are equally a very strong support in my life and many others. Whether they are related or not, mothers help mothers – it’s the way of women!

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers in my life today and in the past that have brought me to where I am today. Thank you to all these strong women for continuing to support myself and other women around them.

I am here today because of you.