FEMINIST FRIDAY

By Bernadette

MOTHER’S ROCK!

Mother’s Day will be celebrated on May 14th in the United States.  I started to think about what some famous people had to say about their mothers.  Here are a few quotes:

  • “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” – George Washington
  • “The doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.” – Wilma Rudolph
  • “My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me; and I felt I had something to live for, someone I must not disappoint.” – Thomas Alva Edison
  • “When my mother took her turn to sit in a gown at her graduation, she thought she only had two career options; nursing and teaching. She raised me and my sister to believe that we could do anything, and we believed her.” — Sheryl Sandberg
  • “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” – Abraham Lincoln
  • “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” – Washington Irving
  • “My family has very strong women. My other never laughed at my dream of Africa, even though everyone else did because we didn’t have any money, because Africa was the ‘dark continent,’ and because I was a girl.”  – Jane Goodall
  • “My mother said to me, ‘If you become a soldier you’ll be a general; if you become a monk you’ll end up as the pope.’ Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.”—Pablo Picasso
  • “My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors.”  – Maya Angelou
  • “It seems to me that my mother was the most splendid woman I ever knew… I have met a lot of people knocking around the world since, but I have never met a more thoroughly refined woman than my mother. If I have amounted to anything, it will be due to her.”—Charles Chaplin
  • “My mother taught me about the power of inspiration and courage, and she did it with a strength and a passion that I wish could be bottled.” – Carly Fiorina
  • “I think my mother…made it clear that you have to live life by your own terms and you have to not worry about what other people think and you have to have the courage to do the unexpected.” – Caroline Kennedy
  • “Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.” – Stevie Wonder

I invite you to share a story about an inspiring woman in the comments section. Just leave us a link to your post. We can never read too many stories about inspiring women. 

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The quotes in this article came from an article posted in Quick Base in May of 2014.

About Bernadette

I live in the small town of Haddonfield, NJ. I am at an age in my life when I seem to spend time thinking and musing about life. These musings are usually stimulated by my walks through Haddonfield, my reading of books and fellow bloggers, and my interaction with my group of fabulous family and friends.

30 Responses

    1. Bernadette

      It is so good to read about your wonderful daughter in law. The mother in law – daughter in law relationship gets such bad press and I wish more people would write about their good relationships and dispel this image. I once started a project called Naomi and Ruth Project and invited women to send in their stories. Maybe I should dig that up and start again. Thanks for linking this post to Feminist Friday.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Shallow Reflections

        You are so right Bernadette. When I became a mother in law I was sensitized even more to this negative image about the evil mother-in-law. I have a beautiful daughter-in-law who I am so proud of. I think you should resurrect your Naomi and Ruth project.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. roughwighting

    What fabulous quotes! We all hope our children feel that we’ve guided them in wonderful ways. I watch my daughter mother her 3 children (4, 7, 8) and I feel such pride my heart swells twice its size. Mothering is loving, pure and simple. Happy Mom’s Day to you, Bernadette!

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Rosaliene Bacchus

    Amazing quotes, Bernadette. Thanks for sharing. I’ve never found it easy to be a mother. It’s a role that we women have had to assume, lovingly or otherwise, in a world where men still dictate our fates. May your motherhood be blessed, always.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Bernadette

      It is always difficult to assume any role that is dictated by someone else. Motherhood is difficult because it has been dictated that the mother needs to be selfless 24/7. This is impossible for anyone but a higher power. But I found the rewards of creating life and helping to shape that persons life to outweigh the burdens of others expectations

      Like

  12. writerwannabe763

    Your post made me think of my mother. She had 10 children, married very young.. (she really never admitted how young) .. I was the last born. She struggled throughout her life, married to a man who was an alcoholic and had other vices, and shouldn’t have really been a father. He was not in my life, but she never taught me to hate him … never berated him to me. She loved us all and taught us to love, not to hate.
    She was a lady, she was an inspiration and someone I tired to emanate… She was ‘my beloved Mother’ ! Thank you for reminding me of her ! Diane

    Liked by 3 people

  16. Sharon Vander Meer

    Miss her every day. Mom could be tough of us, but it stuck. We are all better for having had someone who cared enough to encourage us to do the right thing, even when it was hard. She didn’t believe “fair” was the defining factor in decision making. Is it right? Is it true? Does it build up or tear down? Take the high road, it always leads to the light.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Bernadette

      Bette, this is truly beautiful. I can only hope that one day my grandchildren will remember me with such love and affection and say they saw the eyes of God in my eyes. Thanks for sharing her story at Feminist Friday. The only problem this is the Feminist Friday for May 5. Can you copy your link to today’s edition, May 12?

      Liked by 1 person

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