Apple of Our Eye

Since late 2003, Mothers & More has presented an award from time to time, the "Apple Pie in the Face" Award, to call attention to acts that divide mothers or trivialize the struggles mothers face in balancing caregiving with their other needs and responsibilities. Of course, it’s not all bad out there so we want to make sure we also recognize acts of doing right by mothers.

Mothers & More is proud to announce its first ever "Apple of Our Eye" Award. The purpose of this new award is to call attention to acts that honor the importance of caregiving work and respect mothers’ individuality and right to make their own decisions about how to care for themselves and their families.

Mothers & More is presenting its first Apple of Our Eye Award to actress Brooke Shields for her courage and honesty, writing and speaking out publicly about her personal struggles with postpartum depression, and defending every mother’s right to decide for herself how best to take care of herself and her family. Ms. Shields has bravely shared her real story about PPD with others, via her book, Down Came the Rain, and through the media.

Read our letter to Brooke Shields:

Dear Ms. Shields:

"All mothers, all children and all families are unique. We respect the wisdom of each mother to decide how to care for her children, her family and herself."

This is one of Mothers & More’s core beliefs, which we hold dear. Our organization and its members would like to applaud you for exemplifying this belief... [letter continues]

Read the letter in its entirety.

HELP US CELEBRATE THE APPLE OF OUR EYE AWARD!

Here are some things you can do:

• Share your story with us!
  Only when mothers are truly open about their real stories will the media and society be accepting of Mothers & More’s beliefs that "All mothers, all children and all families are unique" and that society should "respect the wisdom of each mother to decide how to care for her children, her family and herself."
  So tell us, since you've become a mother, have you ever done something, or not done something, in the best interest of yourself and your family and found others judged you? How did you overcome the unwanted criticism? Share your story and then read others’ stories when you’re done.
• Send Brooke Shields an email. Feel free to cut and paste the sample below or compose your own.
• Let your friends and family know about the Apple of Our Eye Award! Feel free to cut and paste the sample message below.

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Want to know more about Mothers & More? Go back to our home page and browse our site!

Sample Email to Send Brooke Shields:

NOTE: Use language in parens if it applies to you.

Dear Ms. Shields:

(I am a member of the _______ chapter of Mothers & More, a national non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy.)

I want to thank you personally for telling your real story concerning your initiation into motherhood, and your struggles with postpartum depression. Your courage and honesty are an inspiration to all mothers, and assert the belief that all mothers are unique and that society needs to respect the wisdom of each mother to decide how to care for herself and her family.

[Insert any personal stories or comments]

Thank you again for standing up for all mothers.

Very truly yours,

Highlight the above letter, and copy to your clipboard. Then open this email window for Brooke Shields and paste it there.

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Sample Email to Friends & Family about the Apple of Our Eye Award:

Dear Friend:

I wanted to let you know about an exciting new award being presented by Mothers & More - the Apple of Our Eye Award. The Award is used to call attention to acts that honor the importance of caregiving work and respect mothers’ individuality and right to make their own decisions about how to care for themselves and their families.

Brooke Shields is the first recipient of the award. To learn more, visit the website at www.mothersandmore.org.

Mothers & More is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy. They address mothers’ needs as individuals and members of society, and promote the value of all the work mothers do. For nearly 20 years, Mothers & More has been bringing mothers together to weather the challenges they face, provide a network of support for one another, and advocate on mothers’ behalves.

I hope you’ll take a look at the award and do all you can to help celebrate it!

Sincerely,

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