Creating A Legacy: Celebrating The Unbreakable Bond of Strong Women

When I think of superheroes, I don’t picture capes or superhuman strength; I think of my Grandma Madelyn and my Mom, Christine. They are the true angels who have shaped my life and taught me the meaning of resilience, love, and unwavering strength.

My Grandma Madelyn raised four daughters on a small farm in Pennsylvania. Life wasn’t just hard—it was a daily grind of endless chores, managing the farm, running the town store, and keeping her home a sanctuary for her family. Yet, through the exhaustion and challenges, she always met me with a warm smile and a peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwich, or the best cookies I’ve ever tasted, made just for me.

I was just one of many grandchildren, but she always made me feel like I was the only one. Despite the weight of responsibilities on her shoulders, she had this magical ability to make every person she loved feel special. Her home was a haven—a place where I could escape from the overwhelming world and reconnect with what truly matters. We sat in church together, and she taught me the values of hard work and loving fiercely. She’s the wisest person I know, unbeatable at family game nights, and her quiet strength is my refuge when life feels too hard. When I feel like I’m not enough, I sense her strength lifting me up.

My mom, Christine, is our family’s superhero in every sense of the word. She’s the one who swoops in when we’re at our limit, sprinkling her fairy godmother magic on our kids. Her strength during tough times is something I’ve always admired. She has this incredible gift of putting others before herself, and never meets a stranger. If you find yourself beside her in line at Target, you’ll walk out with a new friend. She has this rare ability to light up a room and make everyone feel special. As an introvert, I’ve always been in awe of how she does this with such grace and ease. The world is a better place because of her, and I can only hope that the mark I leave on the world is just as beautiful.

I tell you about these remarkable women because it’s important to remember that we come from a long line of strong women. These are women who survived wars, depressions, and unimaginable hardships, yet they still raised another generation of strong children. We, too, can do hard things if we focus on what truly matters.

Michelle Obama once said, “We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to-do’ list.” This resonates deeply when I think about the legacy of the women in my life. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis also believed that “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do matters very much.” These quotes remind us of the monumental impact we have as mothers, and the responsibility we carry to raise our children with love, strength, and kindness.

This realization brings home the truth that our job as moms is one of the most important in the world. The love we pour into our children, the example we set, and the strength we model will ripple through generations. Every floor you mop, every load of laundry you clean—it all matters. It matters big. When we do our job with intention, this incredible gift of love and strength is passed down, creating a legacy of empowered, compassionate individuals.

When you wake up in the morning, embrace the honor of motherhood with gratitude. What you teach your children will echo for generations. Even on the days when you feel like you’ve fallen short, remember: you are the perfect mom for your child. Every day is a new opportunity to show up, be present, model strength, and spread love. Let your children see you extend kindness, help a stranger, and leave little acts of goodness in the world—even if it’s just during your next Target run.

The seeds of kindness and joy you plant in them will live on for many generations to come. I can’t wait to see what someone will write about you someday, because I know it will be as beautiful and inspiring as the stories I’ve shared today. You are the legacy of the strong women who came before you, and you are raising the legends of tomorrow. Keep going, mama—your strength is endless, and your impact is immeasurable.

xo, Jenn