Moms +SocialGood Event in NYC

Today I had the tremendous privilege to attend the Moms +SocialGood event in New York City. What a fabulous group of women committed to truly changing the world! The speaker lineup was impressive -- lots of big names but candid discussions. A few favorites were Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power and Gabrielle Blair (Design Mom), Amy Robach (Good Morning America), and Caryl Stern (UNICEF President & CEO) as she interviewed a panel of philanthropic young people. 

Me with Gabrielle Blair (Design Mom) remembering over 20 years ago when we were students at the same high school and worked together at the movies

Meeting Elizabeth Smart -- she did a fabulous job

Elizabeth Smart was the surprise concluding keynote and she told an impressive story of hope and what her foundation is doing to stop the victimization of children. 


Motherhood and womanhood was celebrated. Many people told stories of their own mothers. Hard issues were raised such as infant mortality, hunger, AIDS, poverty, abuse, breast cancer, and the likes. Yet, the overwhelming message to me is:

• Moms, you matter.
• Moms, hang in there and keep your heads up.
• Moms, we must let our children know we will love them no matter what. We must let them fail and emerge stronger.
• Moms, find a way to turn pain into power.
• Moms, don't try to fix every world problem. Just do something, anything.
• Moms, inspire your children to be philanthropic and to make a difference, to dream big dreams.
• Moms, reach out and inspire one another.
  

So, this Mother's Day, I will pay tribute to my own angel mother and mother-in-law. My children will pay tribute to me. I will remember my grandmothers who have passed on. And I will pay tribute to all women and mothers, everywhere throughout this world, who are trying to help children become all they can be.

Happy Mother's Day, world.