As originally published in the State Journal-Register on May 14, 2023
Marne Fauser, President and CEO of United Way of Central Illinois
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we have the ability to shine a light on the role of mothers in our lives and in our communities. Motherhood is a role that I cherish and would not trade for anything in the world. Being a mom has been my greatest calling and comes with the ultimate responsibility.
From my own experiences, my mom is my hero. Always supporting me and letting me grow and fail forward. She never made decisions for me, she supported the decisions I made for me, and she taught me to trust that my instincts would guide me. Someone I have always been able to lean on through the ups and downs of life, someone to dance with in the kitchen while baking, someone to share adventures with and someone who expected me to stand on my own two feet and be courageous.
Here at United Way of Central Illinois we are hard at work to join forces with our community and state to develop more affordable, accessible, high-quality childcare, wraparound services for families and education and advocacy to support our children through their academic years.
This Mother’s Day, would you join me in honoring mothers everywhere for all the sacrifices they selflessly make to support their families and communities. We celebrate each of you. For those that are grieving the loss of a loved one or who are missing their moms who are no longer with us, I am holding you in my heart during this time and hope that memories of the past will bring you comfort and joy.
So, to all the mom’s, grandmothers, aunts and mother-like figures, thank you for being a hero and an inspiration.
Marne Fauser, President and CEO of United Way of Central Illinois. Learn more about UWCIL by visiting their website at UWCIL.org and follow them on social media @UnitedWayofCentralIllinois on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.