The Magic of Motherhood: How A Mother’s Love Changes Lives

The most noble form of love on the planet is from our mothers. And speaking of noble acts, there’s no denying that the most noble responsibility a woman can bear is to become a mother. From the long, painful months of carrying a child in your womb, to giving birth, and then shaping that kid to be strong and smart for the world – nothing could ever come between that. 

With that, join us as we put the spotlight on these influential mothers who continue to shower their families with love while inspiring the world. Moms do so much for their children, and they deserve to be recognised like this. These powerful women have done more than look out for their loved ones, as they have also taken huge responsibilities in society and pushed for positive changes in their respective communities. Keep reading below to find out more about them.

Tammy Duckworth

Behind the tough wars she has been through, US Senator Tammy Duckworth, a seasoned Iraq War Veteran and Purple Heart awardee, also has a lighthearted side to her impressive resume.

Before joining the U.S. Senate in 2016, she soared through the ranks, quite literally, as one of the first Army women to take on combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. With 23 years of service in the Reserve Forces, she decided to trade her uniform for a different kind of Capitol Hill attire in 2014, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Before her Senate journey, Duckworth represented Illinois's Eighth Congressional District with charm and dedication for two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

In 2018, Duckworth made history as the first Senator to give birth while in office. She championed family-friendly policies by successfully pushing for groundbreaking rules change, allowing Senators to bring their infants onto the Senate floor – a message resonating with working families nationwide.

Now, as a US senator, Duckworth tirelessly works for the people of Illinois, all while balancing the joys of raising her two young daughters, Abigail and Maile.

Melinda Gates

We’ll bet on it that you’re currently reading this article and you’re surrounded by a Microsoft-powered application, whether you’re currently writing emails, typing up documents at work, or simply browsing the Internet. And while the genius behind this tech giant, Bill Gates, has graced a lot of attention because of his success, few know the story of his wife, Melinda Gates. 

Born as Melinda French in Texas in 1964 to a mom who really valued education (having missed out on college herself), Melinda Gates had a knack for math and science from a young age. She went on to study computer science at Duke University and later snagged a master's degree in business administration. Her journey led her to Microsoft, where she climbed the ranks and took charge of cool projects like Expedia and Encarta.

During her time at Microsoft, Melinda met her future husband and boss, Bill Gates. Their love story began, and in 1994, after six years of dating, they tied the knot. Together, they founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to tackle global poverty and health issues. These days, Melinda is fully dedicated to the foundation, achieving remarkable feats like supporting underprivileged students and enhancing access to birth control in developing countries.

Melinda and Bill have three children, Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe – all decorated in terms of scholastic accolades. 

Michelle Obama

Now that we’re talking about strong women standing beside their powerful beaus, it’s time to talk about what we can all collectively agree is the coolest first lady in US history: Michelle Obama. 

In 2009, Michelle became the first African American first lady, adding another achievement to her impressive resume which includes graduating from Princeton and Harvard Law. A Chicago native, she practised law before her White House days and even managed to balance a career at the University of Chicago Medical Center with raising her two daughters, Sasha and Malia.

During her time in the White House, Michelle passionately spearheaded the Let's Move! campaign, aiming to kick childhood obesity to the curb within a generation. Alongside that, she delved into various other projects close to her heart, supporting veterans, military families, and young minds pursuing higher education.

Today, Michelle is a best-selling author who shares her stories of hope and inspiration through her memoirs. In 2023, Obama got a nod for the Primetime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special category at the 75th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. This recognition came from the Netflix documentary film "The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey."

Kathy Headlee

Kathy Headlee, a mom of seven (with the youngest being an adorable addition from Romania), founded Mothers Without Borders with the mission of bringing joy and support to orphaned children globally. Starting in 1992, she led a bunch of amazing volunteers in delivering essential supplies to orphanages and offering caregiving training in Romania. Since then, Mothers Without Borders has been on a heartwarming journey, sending volunteers to spread love and assistance to kids all around the world.

Guided by Kathy's compassionate spirit, Mothers Without Borders has orchestrated numerous community development projects — even throwing in some life-changing toilets — and sent volunteers on exciting adventures to places like Romania, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Bolivia, Taiwan, Haiti, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the United States. Kathy herself spends a good chunk of each year soaking up the positive vibes in Africa, overseeing various projects from the lively Mothers Without Borders Regional Headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia.

Candy Lightner

In an unfortunate hit-and-run accident, Candy Lightner lost her 13-year-old daughter, Cari, because of a drunk driver. Ultimately devastated by this, Candy channelled her grief into positive action and started Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in the US and Canada. This organization aimed to put the brakes on drunk driving, push for stricter laws, and support those affected by such incidents. Thanks to their tireless efforts, MADD has become a driving force in raising awareness, advocating for legislation, and ultimately preventing countless accidents, saving numerous lives along the way.

Dr. Dana Suskind

Dr. Dana Suskind is a mom of three and a super-skilled ear, nose, and throat doctor at the University of Chicago. She's the brain behind the Thirty Million Words Initiative, cheering on parents to chat up a storm with their little ones. Her gig is all about spreading the word on how babbling and bonding in those first three years can do wonders for a child’s development.