To the Governor, the Actress, the CEO, the Designer and the Entrepreneur: Happy Mothers Day!

By Austin Santiago

 

Over 500 people filled the Grand Ballroom of the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on Thursday as the National Mother’s Day Committee hosted the 41st annual Outstanding Mother Awards.

Five women were honored at this year’s awards event. They were Michelle Gass, Chief Executive Officer of Kohl’s; Rebecca Minkoff, Co-Founder of Rebecca Minkoff apparel; Jill Scalamandre, President of bareMinerals cosmetics; Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo; and Actress Jennifer Garner.

Other influential women present at the even included fashion designer Vera Wang, and author Joanna Coles, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

The five mothers were honored for their commitment to maintaining a balance between their careers and their personal lives. In a written statement, Governor Raimondo shared her insight on balancing her personal life with her life on the job.

“Making time for family is essential. Every Sunday, I go to church with my family in the morning, and in the evening we have a nice home cooked meal together.”

Minkoff, also in a written statement, offered her own method of maintaining an optimal balance. “I always make sure to walk my kid(s) to school every morning, or if I need to travel for work, I will limit my time away to five days, otherwise I will bring my kids with me.”

Only four of the honorees were present as Garner was unable to attend. Garner was to be honored for her work with Save the Children, an organization that has worked to improve the quality of life for children around the world for over a hundred years.

This year’s ceremony garnered the most money to date, with over $750,000 going towards Save the Children. The five honorees will be joining an elite club of previously honored mothers, including: Hillary Clinton, Katie Couric, and Meryl Streep. Well attended and well respected, the National Mother’s Day Committee is poised to honor great mothers for another 41 years.

But most importantly, be sure to honor your own mother this coming Sunday.