A Mother's Work Is Never Done

Statement

Mother's Day is just around the corner and I want to take this opportunity to honor not only my own mother and mother-in-law, but all of the mothers out there who work day after day for their families. Mothers truly make the world go round.

In Maryland, women are the majority, making up approximately 51 percent of the population -- and we are getting things done here. According to a recent study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, Maryland has the second-highest number of women with advanced degrees and one-third of six-figure paychecks are going home with women in our state. Maryland has also been home to some of our nation's most accomplished women, including Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, Enolia Pettigen McMillian, the first female national head of the NAACP, Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist leader, and of course my mentors Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey and Congresswoman Helen Bentley.

According to a study in 2014, there are about 85 million mothers living in America -- that's a lot of "Happy Mother's Day" macaroni artwork! Of those, almost 10 million are single mothers living with children younger than 18 years old. And a whopping 40 percent of all households with children under the age of 18 years old have mothers who are either the primary or the only source of income for their family. As of 2012 approximately 71% of mothers were working mothers -- meaning they are juggling work life and home life. Mothers are also more likely to be the decision maker at home. Women are more likely to manage the household finances and women make approximately 80 percent of the health care decisions for their families.

In other words, a mother's work is never done.

As a mother and a grandmother, I can tell you that is absolutely true. Mothers never stop worrying about and caring for their children. And my own mother is the prime example: On the primary Election Day, my mother was out from dawn to dusk rooting for me to win. I owe it all to her! Thanks mom and Happy Mother's Day!

Source