Special to ViewAmerican Mothers Inc.?s 2007 Nevada Mother of the Year Vicky VanMeetren is the president and chief executive officer of St. Rose Dominican Hospital San Martin Campus and has two adult children.
Steve Andrascik/ViewKenya Jackson of Henderson helps her son Jordan, 7, with his math homework. Jackson was chosen as the Nevada Young Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc., and will give a speech at the group?s national convention, to be held Wednesday through Saturday at the Renaissance Hotel, 3400 Paradise Road. Vicky VanMeetren of Henderson was named the Nevada Mother of the Year and also will speak at the event.
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Henderson residents Kenya Jackson and Vicky VanMeetren are two different people with a similar honor.
Both are being recognized by American Mothers Inc., a national organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., as mothers of the year.
Jackson, the 2007 Nevada Young Mother of the Year, has worn every type of mother's hat available.
During her 43 years, Jackson has at times been a mother, a divorced single mother, a stepmother, a motherly aunt, a working mother, a stay-at-home mother and now a grandmother. She said she learned a lot about parenting from her grandmother and her mother, singer Gladys Knight.
With six children ranging in age from 7 to 27, Jackson simultaneously deals with basketball practice, heading up Cub Scouts and playing with her 1-year-old granddaughter.
"Our house is like Grand Central Station," she said.
Vicky VanMeetren, 51, the 2007 Nevada Mother of the Year, is the president and chief executive officer of St. Rose Dominican Hospital San Martin Campus and the mother of two adult children.
Although her children are both in their 20s, VanMeetren continues to be involved in their lives while balancing volunteer work on several different nonprofit boards and running a hospital.
"I have the most delightful young people that are, in fact, a whole lot of joy to be around. It's very rewarding as a parent, although you can't take all the credit," she said.
AMI honors mothers who represent the highest qualities of motherhood. The young mother category honors mothers who have children under 18 years old.
At the annual convention, a National Mother of the Year is chosen. Last year's National Mother of the Year was Laurie Richardson of Henderson, the first to be chosen from Nevada.
This year, the AMI convention is in Las Vegas and will be held Wednesday through Saturday at the Renaissance Hotel, 3400 Paradise Road. More information on the convention can be found at americanmothersnv.org. VanMeetren and Jackson each will give a speech at the event.
Jackson is the first black woman to be honored by AMI in Nevada. She said she is glad to represent black mothers.
"So many African American mothers have to do it by themselves. To accept this honor on their behalf is an incredible honor," she said.
Jackson said she can empathize with being a single mother.
"I've been a single mom," Jackson said. "What a loving, good father brings to the life of children is immeasurable."
Jackson said she and her husband, Jimmy, each have different parenting styles, but bring everything to the table.
Jimmy said Jackson is the person his children go to when they want something. "She is the 'yes' person. Our kids see me more as the 'no' guy," Jimmy said.
Jimmy said Jackson has helped him become a more compassionate parent. He said she is constantly volunteering them to help out with their children's activities.
"She's usually out helping a person. Or someone is coming over," he said.
At the center of Jackson's parenting style is her faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"If you're going to have guidance, get it from the surest foundation -- your faith, no matter what it is," she said.
Jackson said she and her husband always have date night on Fridays, and Sundays are "family etiquette dinner night."
"We put God first, our marriage second and then the children," she said.
Having one specified night for a sit-down dinner teaches the children discipline and respect, two things Jackson considers very important.
Currently, Jackson is a stay-at-home mother who owns her own business, A&M Management. "I love being at home," she said.
In contrast, VanMeetren works full time at St. Rose Dominican Hospital, San Martin campus. She worked while her children were growing up, first as a nurse and later moving into administration.
"I was pretty fortunate in that most of my life I did work day shift," she said.
VanMeetren said she still managed to spend time with her children.
"You have to give importance to spending time with your children. You have to keep track of them and who their friends are and make sure that your values are continually expressed," she said.
VanMeetren's daughter Jamie VanMeetren said she remembers her parents being at every athletic event she and her brother participated in at school. She added that both of her parents were present for the grand opening of her store, Bellies and Blossoms, on April 12.
"I'm not scared to do things because I know that they're behind me," she said.
One of the ways in which VanMeetren spent time with her children was through community service. She participated in a mother-daughter charity organization, National Charity League, and went to St. Timothy's Closet with her son.
Now, VanMeetren is a member of several organizations, including serving on the board of Safe House, an organization that houses victims of domestic violence.
It was through another member on that board that she was nominated as Nevada Mother of the Year.
VanMeetren said spirituality is a strong factor in motherhood and urges mothers to pray often.
"We have been (active) for the last 30 years ... in Central Christian Church," she said.
VanMeetren said she thinks raising children is a team effort.
"I don't think this is just about motherhood, that your children succeed. I think it's about family," she said.
Jamie, also a Henderson resident, said her mother deserves the honor, no question.
"She has said to me ... isn't it funny that she's receiving this now when both of us (are) grown. She still does an unbelievable amount of things for us," Jamie said, adding that she is constantly in awe of her mother and the things she does for other people.
"She handles things very beautifully. She's always doing things for other people. It's nice for people to get a little recognition," she said.
Jackson's stepson Jim Jackson said he is not surprised that she earned the honor of Nevada Young Mother of the Year.
"She's definitely worthy to be Young Mother of the Year," he said.
Jackson's daughter Janteil Livingston said she looks up to her mother as an example in her own life.
"It's nice to see an organization that honors women," she said of AMI.
THE 2007 AMERICAN MOTHERS INC. CONVENTION
The American Mothers Inc.'s 2007 National Convention will be held Wednesday through Saturday at the Renaissance Hotel, 3400 Paradise Road.
AMI is offering a Nevada resident special for each of the days. Nevada residents can attend the Thursday and Friday speakers for $20 for both days. The Fly Fest box lunch is $45 for Nevada residents. Tickets are available at the door or in advance. To purchase tickets or for a list of speakers, visit americanmothersnv.org.
2 p.m.: Driving the Miracle by Richard Paul Evans
Evans is the award-winning author of 11 New York Times Bestselling books including "The Christmas Box."
3 p.m.: The Lamps that Light the Way by Anita Canfield
Canfield is a speaker and author of "A Woman for All Seasons."
4 p.m.: Anti-Pornography Workshop and White-Ribbon Campaign
Friday
2 p.m.: Emptying Nest Parenting by Richard and Linda Eyre
The couple are TV show hosts and the authors of "Teaching Your Children Values" and "Lifebalance."
3 p.m.: I am a Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson
Clayson Johnson is an Emmy-Award winning journalist and former host of "The Early Show."
Saturday
10 a.m.: Fly Fest by the "FlyLady" Maria Cilly (five hours, box lunch included)
Cilly is a motivational guru whose column appears on flylady.net.
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