Our History
The Mothers LEGACY (MLP) began as an idea in the fall of 2006. While attending an Interfaith Day at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, a display made me stop in my tracks. It was a small poster board, "The Walk of the Heroines Garden" (WOH) honoring the lives and contributions of women. There are many words that could explain my feelings right then and what has happened since; providence, destiny, karma, serendipity and even luck. You see, for over seventeen years my research and work was on a project to tell the stories through art of women portrayed internationally. To see this beautiful garden that had a similar mission was astounding. While talking with the women at the booth, I also learned there would be a fountain in the garden that would have the title "Fountain in Honor of Mothers". "Wow", another amazing link.
As a member of the American Mothers (AMI) organization we all learn that one of the main objectives is to honor mothers. American Mothers is the oldest mothers' organization in the United States and the official sponsors of the Mother of the Year and has early ties with the creation of Mothers Day. The sense that there was work to do together was intense.
Laura King had created within the WOH "The Interfaith Friendship Garden" honoring women of Faith. She was one I first met that as the display of the WOH. Laura saw and helped me see better the need for stories specifically about Mothers.
Countless years of meetings with great people from many organizations who also saw the need and value of documenting the contributions of mothers, gave MLP the energy and soul support needed to keep going. Partnering with Johanna Brenner from PSU's WOH was crucial to the creditability. Hundreds of donated hours by friends working on the website; Michelle Tullis, Joseph Schutz, Tom Payne, Steve Newman, Quin Stevens, Jordon Mazziotti, the Mac Man -Scott Johnston, Dan and the team of Onlywebsites have made the impossible, possible. Belief in the project from treasured friends from American Mothers Inc. (Goldie Burton, Marilyn Dougall, Jeanne Card, Ileen Barlow, Ane Hornibrook, Jeannena Mitchell, Alison Wadsworth, Joan Neff, Tara Burke, Charlotte Laughlin, Helen Bean, Afton Alder, Barbara Winkel, Leslee Wilcox, Becky Stone, Deanne Taylor, Raelene Hill) and the members of the National AMI Board, , friends from Time Preserved, wonderful nonprofit org., Mark Peterson & Debi Gilmore of Mentors International and Susan Dayton & the amazing Afton Beutler of Worldwide Org. of Women and the love, faith, patience of my husband Rick, our children; Keri, Whitney, Katie, Lhanti, Steve, Kim, Shara, Chris and Scharese, treasured friends:, Patti Rokus, Tracey Snoyer, Val & Matt Baldwin, Sandi Claudell made all the difference.
Now the Mothers Legacy Project is looking forward to linking with organizations to continue to generate a vibrant, dynamic and powerful site for mothers and families everywhere and to help you create and share your own LEGACY.
Jacki Hunlow
Mothers Legacy Project
CEO
