Four outstanding Utah women were recognized Friday in both the Senate and House chambers for being nominated as representatives of the best mothers in Utah.
Mothers of the Year are chosen after a highly competitive nomination process overseen by the Utah Association of American Mothers Incorporated. Nominees are selected because they reflect the organization's purpose — "to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundation of the family and the home."
Jeanne Jennings Godfrey of Harrisville, mother of Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey, was introduced as 2005 Utah Mother of the Year.
Godfrey is also the Weber County Mother of the Year. She is the mother of six, has 12 grandchildren and has been foster mother to 26 children. She explained it as the "hardest job you'll ever love."
She has served in the PTA, as a continuing education instructor and a motivational speaker. She has authored a book and developed a successful housekeeping program called "Jeanne's Aladdin."
"I was born to be a mother," Godfrey said. "As a mother of the year, I will advocate for the great role that it is."
Salt Lake City resident Heidi Monson was acknowledged as the 2005 Utah Mother With Young Children of the Year. She said she was surprised at the nomination because "there are a lot of awesome mothers."
She is mother of 9-year-old twins and a 4-year-old. She is a University of Utah graduate in family and consumer studies and is involved in many national and state activities focused on motherhood.
"It's hard, but when you're excited about what you're doing, it doesn't matter how hard it is," Monson said. She said the most successful thing she has done with her own children is to talk to them a lot.
Also present were the 2004 delegates of outstanding mothers. Yvonne M. Roderick of North Logan was the 2004 Utah Mother of the Year because of her "outstanding family and quite colorful background," Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said.
Christie Erickson Marker of Ogden was the 2004 Utah Mother With Young Children of the Year. She said "family, faith and friends" constitute balance and meaning in her life.
Utah Mothers of the Year compete every year for the national title and act as spokeswomen for all Utah mothers. Monson said the competition is tough but the recognition is entirely worth it.
"I'm a mom and I believe in what I'm doing," she said.
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com