Every year just before Mother’s Day, American Mothers, Inc. honors motherhood by presenting the Mother of the Year and Mother of Achievement award at their National Convention held in Washington, D.C.

Sue Burge of Boothbay was nominated as a Mother of Achievement for founding Set For Success, a Boothbay Region Community Resource Council (BRCRC) back-to-school event that equips all students with the school supplies necessary to be “Set For Success.” Although she was not chosen for the national title, Sue was honored with a medal as a Maine Mother of Achievement.

Since 1935 American Mothers, Inc. has been committed to valuing mothers through service and education. As the official sponsor of Mother’s Day and the “The Mother of the Year” award, American Mothers serves as the voice for the 85 million mothers in America. Founded by luminaries like Eleanor Roosevelt, Sara Delano Roosevelt, Mamie Eisenhower, J.C. Penney and Norman Vincent Peale, American Mothers is dedicated to improving the lives of mothers and children in the U.S. and around the world.

Mothers from all over the nation converged on D.C. for four days of networking, education and advocacy. Burge traveled with a group of six from Augusta, Maine including Lina Michaud, Maine Mother of the Year nominee and Theresa Cloutier, chair of the Augusta Mothers of America Chapter. The Keynote Address was delivered by “Pioneer Woman” Ree Drummond of the Food Network.

The delegation of Maine Mothers met with Maine legislators Congressman Jared Golden, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Senator Angus King and Senator Susan Collins. Both Maine Mother nominees were given an opportunity to share their platform.

Burge says that the most satisfying part of the experience was meeting other mothers doing the hard work of building community. “There were mental health professionals working with children, authors of children’s books, business owners, a minister, doctors, lawyers, a [Native American] mother from Montana, as well as a group of beautiful Moms from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.   Everyone was reaching out to support the needs in their representative communities.”

In addition to the serious work of advocating before the Maine Congressional Delegation, there were also light moments and some new experiences, too, including Burge’s first Uber ride, which just happened to take her up to Capitol Hill.    

Burge acknowledges that Set For Success is a success thanks in part to the many women who helped her along the way and Burge says she carried them with her on her trip to Washington.

“Empowering women — Holly Stover who is a mentor, Nancy Van Dyke, a dear giving and loving friend, and my own mother who encouraged me through all manner of adversities.”

Her advice for other mothers and community organizers who may have an idea for doing good in the community? Find a mentor or champion, don’t give up and follow your dream.

“I was so blessed to have found Reverend Kit Sherrill who was once the facilitator of BRCRC. I shared with him my vision of designing Set For Success. He was so encouraging and actually empowered me to take my plans to a nonprofit group. It was BRCRC that listened and approved the idea of caring for our students and teachers.”

Burge’s final thoughts?

“Having the opportunity to share our mission here on the Boothbay peninsula was an amazing experience,” said Burge.

Set For Success will take place this summer on Aug. 18 at the Boothbay Region YMCA. To learn more about Set For Success or any of the other BRCRC programs including the Community Navigator, Food For Thought, and Boothbay Community Rides, call 633-6272 or go to www.boothbayresources.org