Mother ˈmə-t͟hə-r

verb : to give birth to : to give rise to : to care for or protect like a mother

“A warrior believes in an end she can’t see and fights for it. A warrior never gives up. A warrior fights for those weaker than herself. It sounds like motherhood to me.”

—Kristin Hannah

The weight. Few among us carry more responsibility and expectation—from both society and ourselves—than mothers. Expectation to provide regardless of preparation or means, to manage circumstances and realities beyond our control, and to provide safety and protection regardless of our own—always with unconditional love in our hearts and smiles on our faces. In so many ways, mothers are expected to make up for the shortcomings of others. Is it any wonder this day is fraught for many?

On this Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the mothers who give good love, foster health and well being, and support their children to become thriving adults. But let us also recognize that mothers cannot be more than they are or contribute more than they have. They cannot, and should not be expected to, carry the weight alone. Let us shift from judging mothers to supporting them, and may this day land softly.

Carry the Future - A volunteer-led organization committed to serving refugee families with love and dignity, Carry the Future focuses on filling gaps to provide critical support to refugee families in two specific ways: providing diapers and wipes and providing nourishment for children in schools and learning centers.

Every Mother Counts - The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, despite spending the most per capita on healthcare in the world. Since 2010, Every Mother Counts has worked to build a world where maternal health truly is a human right by centering mothers, advancing proven strategies, and mobilizing advocates, with the ultimate goal of improving maternal health outcomes and the experience of care for all.

Feeding America - The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks and pantries makes healthy food easier to access and supports laws that make food available to everyone.

National Diaper Bank Network - With the goal of making sure every child, family, and individual has access to the basic essentials they need to thrive, the National Diaper Bank Network partners with a dedicated network of diaper banks, allied programs, generous donors, sponsors, and policymakers to end diaper need and period poverty in the United States.

Nurse-Family Partnership - Nurse-Family Partnership empowers first-time moms to transform their lives and create better futures for themselves and their babies by having specially educated nurses regularly visit first-time moms, starting early in the pregnancy and continuing until the child’s second birthday.

Prevent Child Abuse America - The nation’s oldest and largest organization committed to preventing child abuse and neglect before it happens, Prevent Child Abuse America promotes programs and resources informed by science that enable kids, families, and entire communities to thrive—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.