2011 Celebration of Motherhood at the State Capitol

RuthAnn Sullivan

May 14, 2011 "Celebration of Motherhood" at the State Capitol in Frankfort, KY.

Today is a day of honoring mothers; two in particular,  Mrs. Susan Hill, 2011 Kentucky Mother of the Year, and Mrs. RuthAnn Sullivan, 2011 Kentucky Young Mother.  It is also a day of recognizing the creative writing of three 5th grade students that wrote about their mothers.

The program went as follows:  I welcomed everyone out, Pearl Taylor, Mother of the Year from 2001 gave the invocation, and then I introduced RuthAnn Sullivan.  

She spoke for 10 minutes on the influence of evil and how we need to prepare our homes and families.  I presented her with a roses, her Young Mother necklace, an engraved silver tray,  a certificate from American Mothers, a letter from Senator Rand Paul and a Proclamation from Judge Executive of Oldham County, David Voegle.

Susan Hill

Next I introduced Susan Hill.  She spoke for 10 minutes sharing many joyous moments in raising her family.  

I presented her with a roses, her Mother of the Year pin (presented previously), an engraved silver tray,  a certificate from American Mothers, a letter from Senator Rand Paul and a Proclamation from Mayer Fisher of Louisville, KY.

I then introduced the 5th grade essay program and announced that we were here to honor our three state finalist.  

Cole Geredmann took 3rd place - he read his essay.  I had already presented him with a certificate and gift card to Barnes and Noble at his school, but today I presented him with a proclamation from Judge Executive David Voegle and a gift certificate from Osbourne Books.  

This repeated with the second place winner, Abby Harlan,

















and the first place winner, Morgan Jemtrud.  

It was my pleasure to also publicly announce that Morgan was named the 2nd place winner in the National Essay Contest.  I presented her with a letter, certificate and check for $75.  She was thrilled.

We concluded with a brief expression of thanks, and an explanation of what we do in American Mothers.  I shared some of the programs that we run in the state.  We then adjourned to the Rotunda for photos.

Cole Gerdemann and his mother Karri,
Abby Harlan and her mother, Dana,
Morgan Jemtrud and her mother Jamie.

Following the photo session we caravanned to the Candleberry Tea Room for a luncheon.  There were approximately 20 that attended the luncheon.  What a wonderful lunch.

What a great and successful day.  I felt very good about everything that had happened and look forward to seeing RuthAnn Sullivan and Susan Hill share the values of family and home throughout our wonderful state of Kentucky!

American Mothers
Betsy Lowe, Jamie Jemtrud, Dana Harlan, Karri Gerdemann, Carrol Hoagland, Susan Hill, RuthAnn Sullivan, Pearl Taylor, Teresa Pina, Norma Hodge, Vivian Foe and LaDonna Richardson.

Mothers of the Year:  Betsy Lowe 1996, Carrol Hoagland 2000, Norma Hodge 1980, Susan Hill 2011, RuthAnn Sullivan 2011, Pearl Taylor 2002, and Vivian Price 1994

Susan Hill, 2011 Kentucky Mother of the Year
Betsy Lowe, Kentucky State President
RuthAnn Sullivan, 2011 Kentucky Young Mother

Susan with her family, husband Robert Hill and one of their three children John,
Betsy Lowe,
RuthAnn with her husband Kenn Sullivan