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March 21, 2008
2008 Award Honorees
Announced
Watch For Us At
BookExpo America
Los Angeles, CA
May 29 – June 1, 2008
October 15, 2008
2009 Awards Close
January 2009
2009 Award Honorees
Announced
Ten special individuals or organizations whose exemplary products and
services improve the lives of the moms and families they touch.
Business Of The Year
Celebrity Mom Of The Year
Founder's Choice Award
Lightwork
Magazine Of The Year
Mom Entrepreneur Of The Year
Product/Product Line Of The Year
Volunteer (or Volunteer Organization) Of The Year
Web Site Of The Year
Author Of The Year
Pam Leo
for Connection Parenting: Parenting Through Connection Instead of Coercion, Through Love Instead of Fear
Award-winning author Pam Leo is an independent scholar in human development, a founding board member of the Alliance for Transforming the Lives of Children (aTLC), a parent educator, a certified childbirth educator, a parent, and a grandparent.
After the birth of her first child, Pam developed a passion for understanding human behavior. She began studying child development, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. "I wanted to learn why we are each born as a tiny innocent being, and some of us grow up to be a Mahatma Gandhi while others become an Adolf Hitler. What determines the difference? I was determined to find out," she says.
Most people grew up with a model of authoritarian parenting, which Pam explains is based on fear-the child's fear of losing a parent's love. Some have grown up with permissive parenting, which is also based on fear-the parent's fear of losing the child's love. "Connection parenting is parenting through connection instead of coercion, through love instead of fear," Pam says.
The book is a product of Pam's 55,000-plus hours of experience with children and stems from her seven-session Connection Parenting course, "Meeting the Needs of Children," which Pam teaches publicly and in the prison system with inmate parents. The years spent developing, refining and simplifying her message have paid off. The result is a concise, simple, eminently readable and instructive summary that Pam hopes will help parents "raise children who won't have to recover from their childhood."
Pam's new seven-week tele-series allows parents to participate in Connection Parenting training right from their homes. "The feedback I most often get from parents is, ‘I wish I'd had this information from the beginning,' " shares Pam.
"It's been a dream come true to have the opportunity to work in person with many of the people who have unknowingly been my mentors. Our common bond is our passion for and dedication to working together to make this information available to all people who either raise children or impact the lives of children. I can think of no work more worthy of my time, energy, resources and love."
Learn more about Pam's work >>>>>
Business Of The Year
Wee Grow Kids
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Wee Grow Kids is a "Mom" invented company founded by Jacie Ragland in order to launch her patented, child-inspired invention, the attachable Snack-N-Play Tray.
"Travel for children can be fun and exciting, but sometimes kids get bored on their journey," says Jacie. "With all of their energy, providing constant stimulation for toddlers can be difficult. The Wee Grow, Snack-N-Play Tray keeps kids occupied and happy when on-the-go."
The Snack-N-Play Tray provides a cup holder and containers that snap into place, providing feeding and play opportunities to keep children content. Jacie recommends filling the containers with healthy snacks, new toys and surprises. Suction cups allow quick attachment to tables and two adjustable straps permit quick attachment to grocery carts, strollers, and many other children accessories.
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| Jacie Ragland, Founder and Inventor |
The mother of three, Jacie works as an Education Programs Consultant for the California Department of Education-training educational leaders on literacy programs. Drawing from her experiences from 20 years of civil service, 12 years of motherhood, 15 years of conducting educational seminars and as an inventor, Jacie is now taking center stage at conferences inspiring and motivating others to follow their passions and dreams.
In Jacie's popular seminar, Discover Your Purpose and Passion, she provides insight on how to reignite the drive in one's life and career and on what it takes to reinvent oneself.
From concept to market, it took Jacie 11 years to see her Snack-N-Play Tray dream become a reality. "There were numerous obstacles and setbacks along the way," she openly shares. "But by Faith, I kept persevering, and now I am in a place where I can help others understand the journey of following their dreams and passions.
"Pursuing your passion will always lead to a successful career and purpose in life," says Jacie. "After all, the best is yet to come."
Learn more about Wee Grow Kids >>>>>
Celebrity Mom Of The Year
Josie Bissett
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Josie Bissett is recognized internationally for creating the memorable role of Jane Mancini on mega-hit 1990s TV show Melrose Place. Josie has graced over 40 magazine covers, including such publications as Shape's Fit Pregnancy, New Woman, Rolling Stone, and TV Guide.
Josie now stars in the new Lifetime Television original film The Other Woman, which is based on the best-selling novel by Joy Fielding and directed by Jason Priestley.
This multi-faceted woman is not only a successful television star, but is also an accomplished author and the proud mother of two.
An emerging parenting expert, Josie has hosted numerous shows, including Parenting & Beyond for PAX-TV and Bravo—a magazine-format show offering parents solutions to everyday problems—and the PBS series Teach More, Love More, which focuses on understanding the stages of childhood development.
Not long after the birth of her son Mason, Josie realized that her newborn didn’t come with an operating manual. Overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood, she reached out for support by connecting with other moms who were also struggling in their new roles. “It was amazing how much we learned from each other,” Josie says. “None of us knew it all, of course, but each of us had a little nugget of insight here and there. We all seemed to get more information from each other than from our doctors.” So she started writing things down, and soon realized she had the makings of a “how to” book for new mothers. The result is Little Bits of Wisdom, a compilation of child-rearing insights from more than 1,000 parents and grandparents around the world.
Her second book, Making Memories, sprang almost directly from the substance of the first. “As I was corresponding with the mothers I’d met while doing the research for Little Bits, our conversations would branch out and we’d start talking about traditions that were specific to our own families as we were growing up,” she shares. “So, once I had finished the first book, I began gathering up all these wonderful traditions that people had experienced as children during their special moments —Christmas, birthdays, even going to the library. Making Memories is far more than just a scrapbook—it is a window into how families create and sustain their identity."
For her third book, she shifted gears from self-help to storytelling in the form of a children’s book. “I was tickling my son before I put him to bed one night, calling myself the Tickle Monster,” she says, “and once I had tucked him in, I literally went straight to my writing desk and began to plot out the story that eventually became The Tickle Monster.” The story emerged in “a totally organic way and changed many times in the writing of it—it is easily my greatest professional accomplishment so far because its interactive format creates a lasting bond between parent and child,” she shares.
If laughter is the best medicine, then Josie might just be its most enthusiastic practitioner. “There is no better feeling than hearing the glorious sound of my children laughing and being playful,” she says. “Laughing is healthy for the body, mind, and soul, and my kids can’t get enough of it—I see to that!”
Josie’s next book, A Great Couple: Lessons In Love, explores the elements that make up a fulfilling and lasting relationship. After her 13-year marriage ended in divorce, Josie began a personal journey of discovery and reflection. “I wanted to fully understand what it takes to build a lasting relationship—is it love, communication, compatibility or just plain luck?” she reflects. “My hope is that this book will offer insight and give inspiration in creating meaningful, loving and lasting relationships.”
When asked what she considers her mission to be, she shares, “To be a whole and balanced person. If I can achieve that, then I know I will be a great mother, wife and friend."
While she isn’t consciously pushing her children toward a show business career, she definitely nurtures their dreams. “I just want them to be passionate about what they do,” she says. “Doing what you love leads to happiness, and I want nothing more for my children than for them to be happy with who they are.”
To learn more about Josie and her work, visit josie-bissett.com.
Founder's Choice Award
Robeez Footwear
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Robeez is a company inspired by a very small pair of feet. In 1994, Sandra Wilson was downsized out of her airline job. Wishing to spend more time with her 18-month-old son Robert, Sandra saw this as an opportunity to start her own home-based business. For inspiration, she looked to her son's tiny feet.
As Robert toddled around in traditional hard-soled shoes, Sandra noticed that his movements were awkward. The shoes looked clunky and heavy on his feet, and he would trip over the toes of the shoes as he walked. She sensed he would be able to balance better with a thinner, lighter-weight sole. Sandra set out to handcraft a pair of brightly colored, soft-soled leather shoes for young Robert. She was pleased to discover that the shoes seemed to improve his balance, because their soft soles allowed him to "feel" the floor while he toddled about. Sandra decided to name the shoes after her son, and "Robeez" shoes were born.
Knowing the shoes worked for Robert, Sandra sensed other mothers would find them a good product for their children's developing feet. So Sandra hand-stitched 20 pairs of her footwear and attended the 1994 Vancouver Gift Show trade exhibition. The response was overwhelming. Orders flooded in and Sandra threw herself into production; her home's basement became Robeez Footwear's early headquarters.
Over the next decade, Robeez would grow to become an entrepreneurial success story. Today, Robeez is recognized as the world's leader for footwear age two and under. Robeez now has over 400 employees and sells shoes in more than 7,000 stores in countries throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia.
In September of 2006, Robeez joined The Stride Rite Corporation's family of well-known footwear brands including Keds, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Hilfiger Footwear, Stride Rite, and Saucony. Sandra remained with the company as a consultant for over a year to ensure the continuation of her design and brand vision.
And what about that little guy whose tiny feet started it all? Robert is now fourteen and pretty proud of his mom.
Learn more about Sandra Wilson and Robeez Footwear>>>>>
See what celebrities love this MCA award-winning product >>>>>
The "Lightwork" category recognizes individuals who are inspired to direct their "inner light" toward creating a better world for others through meditation, teaching, writing, and speaking.
Lightwork
Caron B. Goode, Ed.D., NCC, DAPA
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Through spiritual coaching, books, classes and seminars, Dr. Caron Goode helps others effect lasting transformation. Her continuous education, experience in psychology, and professional writing make her a great resource for parents wishing to create and maintain a nurturing relationship with their children. "The common thread of these disciplines," she says, "is energy of the mind-body-spirit connection-how to access it, bring it into focus, and then put it into successful action."
A mother and stepmother, Caron knows firsthand the importance of parenting skills and that nurturing children with joy, common sense, and a mind/body connectedness enriches and benefits both parent and child.
Caron has created an educational program for training and certifying parents and professionals in supporting families through parent coaching or to receive a first-class, leading-edge parent education: the Academy for Coaching Parents International (ACPI). She has positioned the Academy at the forefront of the parent coaching movement to disseminate the coaching model of empowerment for parents.
In addition to directing ACPI, which she co-founded with her husband, Tom, Caron also manages HeartWiseParenting.com, which provides strategies for parenting the whole child. This holistic approach supports children's physical health, emotional fluency, mental development, and spiritual enrichment. She also founded Intuitive Parenting & Intuitive Children website, academyforcoachingparents.com, which offers specialized training for parents and parent coaches.
Caron's most recent books are Help Kids Cope with Stress and Trauma and The Art & Science of Coaching Parents.
She has worked as a research consultant at the National Headquarters of Special Olympics in Washington, D.C., is a columnist with American Chronicle, and her monthly Parent Coach's Column goes out to 40 newspapers and websites.
She is quoted often as a parenting expert, and her articles have appeared in more than 300 publications globally, such as Colorado Parent, Convergence, The Joyful Child, Energy, Black Family Digest, and Better Homes and Gardens. Caron is a frequent radio show guest speaking on topics such as "Parenting Outside the Box."
Dr. Goode has a Doctoral Degree from George Washington University and is a licensed psychotherapist. She completed post-doctoral certifications in Wellness and Women's Spirituality at the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology. In addition, she holds the following titles: National Certified Counselor and Diplomat of the American Psychotherapy Association.
More information about Caron's endeavors may be found at ACPI.biz, AcademyForCoachingParents.com, and InternationalBreathInstitute.com.
Magazine Of The Year
O, The Oprah Magazine
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Oprah Winfrey says that with her award-winning publication, O, The Oprah Magazine, "we have an opportunity to make a real mark. To speak and connect to women in a way no other publication ever has. To help women see every experience and challenge as an opportunity to grow and discover their best self. To convince women that the real goal is becoming more of who they really are. To embrace their life.
"O, The Oprah Magazine, is a catalyst that helps confident, intelligent, affluent women live their best life. With an emphasis on personal growth, it engages and addresses every aspect of a woman's life-the material, the intellectual and the emotional. It inspires women, challenges them and never talks down to them. An industry leader, it raises the bar-for women and for women's magazines. As a result, each month, O, The Oprah Magazine, forges a true emotional connection-unmatched in the publishing world-with over 16 million desirable consumers."
Called "The woman's personal growth guide for the new century," O gives confident, smart women the tools they need to explore and reach for their dreams, to express their individual style and to make choices that will lead to a happier and more fulfilling life. With one of the most trusted women in America inspiring the editorial content, this magazine serves as a catalyst for transforming women's lives.
With lush photography gracing oversize pages, each issue offers compelling stories and empowering ideas stamped with Oprah's unique vision on health and fitness; relationships and self-discovery; beauty, fashion and home design; "Books That Made a Difference"; and "What I Know for Sure," a column about personal belief systems.
Since its launch, O, The Oprah Magazine, has been celebrated for its editorial excellence and impact. In 2007, the magazine received an ASME National Magazine Award for General Excellence. Also in 2007, O was named #1 on the Adweek Hot List and #7 on the Advertising Age A-LIST.
Learn more about O, The Oprah Magazine >>>>>
Mom Entrepreneur Of The Year
Wendy Tuey, Proud Body, Inc.
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The casts that Wendy Tuey made of her belly when pregnant later provided her with tangible reminders of how her body had changed during pregnancy. "Now, I cherish each of my belly casts and recall the special time I shared together with my children before their births. Every time I walk past my belly casts, I can't help but smile!"
As a licensed corporate attorney and certified public accountant, Wendy never dreamed that she would want to leave her high-powered corporate profession in order to raise her first child. But that's exactly what she did, and she hasn't regretted it for a moment. In fact, she has parlayed belly casting into a thriving business.
After the birth of her son, Wendy wanted to provide a simple do-it-yourself kit that would enable expecting moms to create three-dimensional mementos of their pregnancies in the privacy of their homes. ProudBody, Inc., was born in 2001.
Wendy paid close attention to customers' comments about additional products they wanted to see developed. As with the belly cast kit, each product was thoroughly tested, and each project had to be easy to do. If Wendy couldn't do it herself, she wouldn't sell it.
In Spring 2006, she launched her complete Pregnancy Art line, which included the pregnancy belly cast kit, a pregnancy henna art kit, pregnancy belly painting kit, and TUMMY TATTs (temporary belly tattoos).
Her unusual products have been featured in parenting magazines such as Pregnancy and in major newspapers across the US. Wendy has appeared on "The View" with Barbara Walters and "Live with Regis and Kelly," as well as on The Learning Channel and numerous local features. Pregnant with her third child, Kelly Ripa appeared on the show with a belly cast she had made with Wendy's kit.
Wendy's philosophy has always been to offer top-quality products at competitive prices, to make the casting process a simple and enjoyable experience, and to offer outstanding customer service.
She adds, "I would encourage every mom who would like to stay home with her children to explore the possibility of starting her own business. Think about the type of business you would be passionate about and then consider whether there are potential customers out there looking for that type of product. There is still plenty of room for small, unique companies who take pride in their products and who truly care about their customers!"
Learn more about Wendy Tuey and Proud Body >>>>>
See Kelly Ripa and Elizabeth Hasslebeck with products from MCA award-winning company!
Product / Product Line Of The Year
Mama Mio
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The Mama Mio line of skin-care products was founded by three mothers in London-"supermamas" who have, combined, more than 40 years of experience in the beauty industry, 62 years' experience in motherhood, and seven children. So they know how great a toll motherhood can take on a woman's skin.
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Sian Sutherland, Tanya Kazeminy Mackay and Kathy Miller |
The founders believe that if a mother looks after all of her skin-not just what's on her face-her skin will "look after" her. The Mama Mio range is designed to maintain the tone and elasticity of skin, because elastic skin is "fantastic" skin; it grows, shrinks, maintains its shape and is superb at fighting gravity.
Facial skincare technology and the finest quality ingredients are used in every product. Their super-moisturizing products are effective because of the high levels of Omega 3, 6 and 9 (nature's superheroes at improving skin strength and elasticity). Their repair and restoration products work so well because they are packed with spa-strength, radically active ingredients at the highest levels recommended.
Just one year after launching their Mama Mio line, the trio was awarded British Female Innovator of the Year 2006 and winner of the Best Pampering Product at the Pregnancy & Birth Awards. In 2007, their product was voted Best Stretch Mark Cream at the Gomama Today awards. A portion of Mama Mio profits go to the Reach Leukemia Appeal at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London.
The Mama Mio founders have been featured in W magazine, Women's Wear Daily, Better Homes and Gardens, People, Redbook, Pregnancy, Parents, The Washington Post and other prominent newspapers and magazines.
Learn more about Mama Mio>>>>>
See supermodel Christy Turlington, actress Rachel Weisz and supermama Milla Jovovich with this MCA award-winning product line!
Volunteer Organization Of The Year
The American Association for the Child's Right to Play (IPA/USA)
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For many schoolchildren in the United States, recess is becoming a thing of the past. Fearful of lawsuits and trying to fit an ever-denser curriculum into each school day, many school systems have all but eliminated the swings and jungle gyms upon which generations of youngsters played.
Working to protect recess for children is The American Association for the Child's Right to Play (IPA/USA), an affiliate of the International Play Association, a global advocacy network that works to protect, preserve and promote the child's right to play as a fundamental human right as established by the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.
IPA members recognize that the well-being of children is a world-wide concern; that creating social and physical environments that foster the safety and the healthy development of children requires global as well as local commitment.
"Play not only provides enjoyment but also facilitates creativity, individuality, and social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth necessary for the development of self and society," says Dr. Olga Jarrett, IPA/USA President.
Dr. Jarrett, a professor of child development at Georgia State University, has conducted extensive research on play and the role of recess in learning.
IPA's mandate-to promote the child's right to play-is arguably more urgent now than any time since the organization's inception in the Sixties. In spite of the importance of play in the physical, social, cognitive, creative and emotional development of children, many barriers to free play exist.
"I am very concerned about children's diminished opportunities to play through lack of recess, the focus on academics at younger ages, emphasis on testing, and decreased time and space for outdoor play," says Jarrett.
IPA/USA has a comprehensive agenda and many initiatives. The IPA/USA:
- advocates the design of playgrounds that are challenging, fun, and adventuresome without hidden and unexpected risks and hazards
- provides play leadership training for playleaders, parents and crisis response personnel
- works for legislation mandating recess for all children
- organizes community PlayDays works for the U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The U.S. and Somalia are the only two nations that have not ratified the Convention.
See Dr. Olga Jarrett on YouTube!
Website Of The Year
ConnectingMoms.com
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When Michelle Luba gave birth to her daughter Makenna in 2003, she realized that, despite the rewards of motherhood, she felt isolated. "The only refuge I had was the short-lived hospital group designed to give assistance to new mothers," she says. "But once the group ended, my feelings of isolation returned."
Turning to the Internet in hopes of finding support from other mothers online, Michelle was disappointed in what she found.
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Co-Founders Anthony Samadani and Michelle Luba |
This is a community open 24/7, where the voices of amiable and encouraging women support others throughout the day. The site is a means to discuss important topics, shop and save, review products, blog, share videos and photos, and interview extraordinary moms. "It's a place to find out what works for others and discover what works for themselves," says Michelle.
Social networking sites have become a tremendous force online, and mothers are among the fastest-growing online groups. So whether women are seeking advice, looking to share their knowledge, or lend a helping hand, ConnectingMoms has become the Web's premier location for mothers to meet and greet, post and boast, and, most importantly, make a difference.
"As mothers, we tend to take care of others first," Michelle says. "I feel our site is important to our members because it's a way to take back that all-important ‘mommy' time."
Learn more about ConnectingMoms.com
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