Sunday May, 12 is Mother's Day in the USA. While the actual day of celebration is different worldwide--often more directly connected to Mary or another cultural-religious commemoration--a day set aside to honor our world's moms is something we can certainly all agree upon. While I will be flying much of that day, I know that I will have my mother, my spouse, my sisters and all those IPM moms I know in my thoughts and prayers. 

When we celebrated Namaste! in Cleveland last weekend it was readily apparent that mothers continue to be the primary imaginers and delivers of IPMs' Project Partners. Whether through the efforts of the mothers joined together to provide a center for education and peace formation in Ibague, Colombia; the moms who created 160,000+ kites in Ahmedabad, India through HUM this past January; the mothers who create remarkable sisal handbags in Kandula, Kenya; or the beautiful new organic clothing being created by Cleveland's-own Esperanza Threads: more often than not it is moms who are making the most direct impact upon the communities in which IPM works and lives. 

While we intentionally have "separated" women from children and youth in our programmatic categories to ensure that the needs of women are not simply linked with their families, it is clear that in most cases the women we work with are often motivated to utilize their gifts for the benefit of their families as well as their communities. Many an IPM mother has shared her story with me over the past twelve years. Every time I hear of her struggles, her hopes, and her dreams for the future, I am reminded of the powerful impact all the moms in my extended family have had in my life. And, I remain profoundly thankful for the blessing they have been and continue to be for me. 

As those of us in North America take some time to celebrate and honor our mothers later this month, I hope you will join with me in supporting the incredible efforts of all those moms who compose the IPM Family worldwide. 

Peace, Joe