This Mother's Day We're Celebrating Women Who Shape Us
We know that our hearts are molded by so many people over the course of our lives.
This Mother's Day, Alaska Children's Trust is taking time to celebrate all of the Women Who Shape Us- the moms, aunties, wives, sisters, teachers, coaches who have had a lasting impact on our hearts and minds. Here are some of the stories we collected from supporters, staff, and friends about the women who helped shape them.
I feel like I’m lucky that I had a hard time narrowing it down to just one influential woman that has impacted my life. I’ve had a lot of incredibly strong women that have shaped me into the person that I am today. In the end, my mom came into mind. I am first-generation Chinese American. As many Asian-Americans know, Asian moms are sometimes infamously labeled, “Tiger Moms”. This phrase was coined by Yale Law School professor Chua. Tiger parenting is a form of strict or demanding parenting.
Tiger parents and moms especially push their children to attain high levels of academic achievement, success and high status using authoritarian parenting methods. This often leads to clashes within the family, especially as a first-generation child, as we try and forge our own paths in a country with different customs. While sometimes the relationship between my mom and I weren’t always rainbows and sunshine, she is someone that I always look up to. When she immigrated to the United States, she came with nothing and knew no one. She sacrificed so much of her life, working 14+ hour days 364 days out of the year for the last 30+ years to give myself and my siblings a better life, a chance at opportunities she never got to have. Looking at what she had to go through; the challenges of being an ESL adult, navigating a completely different country, culture, and systems, it is very humbling. Reflecting in my own challenges, I draw strength knowing that from my own matriarchal lineage perseverance and grit runs in my blood. - Anna McGovern
I’d have to say my daughter, Maluhia, has shaped me the most. She’s only 1 and a half, but every single bit of my life was reshaped when I met her, even down to the concept of challenging my own privilege. Now, as a father, when I see or hear about things women experience I immediately think about it through the lens of my daughter and if she was experiencing this what I would do and how I could help to make things more equitable.
In the past, I used to be out making and playing music until 2 or 3 a.m. and now I would rather be home, which I never thought would happen.
“My coach Ms. Nix showed me how to not be afraid of my strength, how to not give up when faced with a big challenge, how to respect a worthy competitor, and, most importantly, how to push people to do their best while still leading with kindness and compassion.”
My daughter, Aislynn, has shaped me in so many ways. She’s taught me how to be a better mother, person, sister, mom, everything- she teaches me something every day about how I can improve myself. She’s always there- she’s always been the most loving little thing- the most loving little creature- and I’m just proud of her and know she’ll grow up to be a really strong woman. - Tara Christiansen- Stiller
Maleah shares her story about the women who helped shape her after she escaped an abusive family situation. Her auntie and her grandmother stepped up to help raise her into the strong, independent woman she is today. We know that so many women shape our hearts and minds as we grow.
**Maleah's full story will debut on our Facebook in the coming months, in which she details more about her situation in early childhood and some of the recognizable signs of child abuse and neglect. If you suspect child abuse, call: 1-800-478-4444
