Contest to reward best Maine mother > Nonprofit organization seeks nominations

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Eleanor Roosevelt knew the importance of mothers and their abilities as homemakers and active public servants.

Roosevelt was a founding member of American Mothers Inc. The organization, which has chapters across the country, recognizes a mother in every state each year.

The winners represent their respective states at a national convention in Portland, Ore., at the end of April, at which time the National Mother of the Year will be selected.

Nominees now are being requested for Maine Mother of the Year 2001. Criteria for the award include being an upstanding citizen, a successful mother and homemaker, an active member of a religious body and an active participant in the community.

American Mothers Inc. and the Maine Mothers Association are organizations of women that work to recognize mothering and strive to make improvements in their respective communities. The group works diligently to help mothers, families and children across the country.

“The organization is a national interfaith, nonprofit, nonpolitical organization which has made significant contributions for more than 60 years to the fabric of American life through strengthening its homes and families,” said member Connie Warren of Sidney.

The state chapter meets four times a year in different locations to enable members from both the northern and southern parts of the state to attend, said Yvette Roy of Winslow, president of the Maine chapter.

Members perform a variety of volunteer tasks, from hospital work to making quilts for AIDS victims, she said.

The most recent Maine Mother of the Year was Julie Brawn, 69, of Augusta. The mother of eight said Saturday that she was flattered to have been selected for the recognition.

“It meant a great deal to me and it was quite exciting,” she said. But she said she owed the honor more to her husband and her family. “Bringing up eight children is no easy task,” she said.

Brawn said she hopes to set a good example for young mothers who may have doubts about their mothering abilities. “I tell them that if I can do it with eight children they can do it with their children,” she said.

Any mother interested in joining the organization, or anyone wishing to nominate a mother for the award, should write to Warren, 2804 Middle Road, Sidney 04330.