North Bay Woman

S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 NORTH BAY WOMAN 9 Advisory Board Celebrates Motherhood Business Development Manager, Nelson Staffing My girls are Tina and Moriah Geller. Tina, 27, is a pediatric nurse, finishing her nurse practitioner degree in May. Moriah, 23, is a kindergarten teacher who is also finishing her master's degree. I always wanted to be a mom, and I always hoped for daughters. I thought that I would be the teacher, but when it comes down to it — if you are listening — you end up learning big life lessons from your kids. Being a mom has given me the opportunity to show how strong I am, even under challenging circumstances at times. I know for a fact that, "children learn what they live." This is a huge and important responsibility. I have always told my girls, "every day is an interview" and that "you don't know what you don't know until you know it." I am so proud of my girls. They are both strong, smart, ambitious and kind young ladies who both chose helping professions. Director of Marketing, Bank of Marin My mother, Prida Schafer, came to this country in the 1970s at the age of 17 with her older sister. She came from a middle class family in Thailand, but never asked her parents for a dime. She wanted to create her own path in an exciting new world and she did! She worked odd jobs, eventually found her life partner (my dad) and raised a family. When my father's job took them to Southeast Asia right before I was born, a new adventure began for our family and it was such a gift. I admire her quiet strength, commitment to family and her ability to maintain composure and always be a lady. Thank you, mum, for all that you have taught me! Author and Motivational Speaker This is my beautiful mother, Gail Acevedo, She is the most faithful and dedicated woman that I have ever met. She's incredibly stylish and creative. Her brave example has always empowered me to be a strong woman. On this Mother's Day I want her to know that all of her sacrifices and love made a tremendous difference in my life. I'm so proud to be her daughter. Have an AMAZING day mom! General Manager, Price Simms Family Dealerships My mother, Marie Kennedy, is special to me because she taught me to be strong, resilient, to work hard and respect everyone. These are all the qualities that make me who I am today, and the qualities that I am passing down to my children. She always inspires me and motivates me. Whenever I forget she will always remind me who I am. I love that she has incorporated her Vietnamese culture with me growing up. I cherish my heritage and continue to learn about it. Thank you for allowing me to honor her on Mother's Day. MBA, Executive Director, Bloom My amazing boys are Mikey, 15, Kai, 12, and Eli, 10. I've had solid examples of mothers through- out my life, and being a mother means being a nurturer. You don't have to give birth to nurture, and there have been many people in my life including my grandmothers, my mother, my host of aunts, and many more who have helped to guide and nurture me. I have learned a deeper love and greater sense of love from being a mother. Children are an icon of hope. They make you stronger, give you purpose and always frame life with the wonder in their eyes. Lenice Smith wrote the "Thrifty, Sustainable, Fashionable" article on page 24. North Bay Woman Magazine Mission: To celebrate and empower women in the North Bay and to promote real women with real stories. The Advisory Board: To help guide the tone and direction of our efforts supporting the mission of North Bay Woman Magazine. KRISTA GAWRONSKI DEBI GELLER ANDREA HENDERSON DIANA KENNEDY LENICE SMITH

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