Unless you’re someone who likes to spend a lot of time in the proverbial doghouse, you likely celebrated Mother’s Day this past Sunday in some form or fashion. For me, it’s a chance to thank both my wife and mother-in-law, as well as to reflect back on all of the grief that I and my sisters (and father) inflicted upon my late mom.
At the Y, women make up about 75% of our workforce and I'd place bets on the likelihood that the vast majority are moms and/or caretakers in some form or fashion. In our work with so many families across the community, it’s also fair to say that mothers form the bedrock of who we serve. In our early childhood, before and after school, community school and the other myriad Y youth development work, it is largely moms who are both the decision-makers and primary points of contact. Us fathers do play a role, and in some cases the primary role, but if we’re being honest with ourselves we freely admit that we rely upon the women in our lives to take the lead in matters related to child-rearing and household scheduling. I spent several years as a single father while juggling a frenetic professional schedule, and trust me, I was out-matched the entire time.
With humility, respect and gratitude, we thank all the moms in the Y community for all you do daily to help keep our community’s families functioning, protected and cared for. Strong communities are made up of strong families, and women are the predominant engines of what binds them together and function. There are simply not enough days in the year to hold the gratitude that mothers are owed.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland