Browse All Contest Entries by clicking on the pictures below to view each entry.

My mother, where do I even begin? When my mother enters a room, it instantly lights up. She’s always smiling, and making ridiculous jokes. She was diagnosed with post partum depression when I was 6 years old. I’m 18 now and can see that with all the struggles in her life, she has only become stronger and more determined. My mom is trying to build a house for others with post partum depression, a place where other woman can get help, because it’s not a commonly known disease. I look at her and see the struggle she had to overcome. After dealing with arthritis and going back to school for a new job, she proves to me that anything is possible. My mother has always been there for me, and has always taught me that I can do anything I put my mind too.

My inspiration is my mother, Yonia Adam. She has spent her whole life sacrificing things and compromising so that me and my siblings can have a happy life. We never had extra money but my mom woke up every morning at 5am and worked as hard as she could so that we would be able to get everything we wanted. She was the second youngest of a family of eight children but she moved to Canada with only my father and no other relatives. Everything has ever done has been for other people, especially me and my younger siblings. And no matter what she has done or gone through, she has always done it with a smile. I believe that she truly lives to make others happy, and in turn that makes her happy. For these reasons my mom has inspired me to be a strong, caring, and level-headed person and one day I hope I can accomplish as much as she has in her life.

My supervisor Emma Milosavlevich is my inspiration. When I was starting a new career from scratch, she quickly became my mentor by teaching me skills beyond the job requirements. Over time, our relationship has developed into one of sisterhood and friendship. Her support and guidance has inspired me to become increasingly self assured and to look at the world from a different perspective. I know our friendship will last. I truly wish the best of everything for her as she deserves nothing less.

I chose not to upload my friend's pic because she just went through a rough break up and does not want "him" to know where she is. My friend Betty A. is an inspiration because she has went through a lot in her life. She had breast cancer 5 years ago. This yr is her 5 yr mark being cancer free! She had been saving for a bit and making plans to get her own place after being in a relationship that was going bad fast. She is retirement age and thought she couldn't do it on her own. He kept threatening to kick her out and she didn't know what to do. With the help of friends, we helped her to find how to do this. She got a small place. She got some furniture - some from friends. some used but clean. And she did it! I have known her for about 8 years. Since she moved out she is such a different person. She is happy. I'm surprised at the change in her. I'm glad she got out when she did. He does pester her away from her home sometimes, but hopefully he gives up soon.

My Mom has inspired me to value life and the people who we are blessed to have in our lives.My Mom, Connie, raised my sister,brother and I as a single Mom.When I was 17,she was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma,a very aggressive type of cancer.We have come close to losing her several times,but through it all,my Moms fighting spirit and faith have been unfailing.She remarried in January 2009 to a wonderful man who loves her deeply and moved across the country to be with him.While we miss her so much,we are so happy for her that she has found some happiness so share with someone!She has never been in remission in her almost 13 years of cancer,and has recently started having some new symptomsand pain in her leg that we are waiting on results for.Our Mom Connie has inspired us to live life with BEAUTY, LOVE, STRENGTH, COURAGE and FAITH! Love you so much Mom!

My moms name is Beulah Killingbeck she is one of the strongest and most beautiful person I know, she has endured a great deal of health problems over the years.In the month of September at the age of 69 she has battled knee replacement,eye surgery and breast cancer all in one month.She went for mammogram and was told everything is fine but there was a strange looking spot, so biopsy was next.Tissue taken as per Doctor says no cancer.My mother request they remove the lump anyway ,call it womens intuition. So she had knee surgery, one week later had lumpectomy.Doctor came to see my dad waiting for news . turns out it was cancer after all, what a shock. Doctor says it was caught early ,larger area remove she will need radiation but will be fine. My mom is now on the mend has just finished treatment, cancer free.On November 25 of this year they will be able to celebrate there 50th Wedding Anniversary.They realy need a break and a vacation its been a while since they had time to themselves.

My mom, May Leggett, truly inspires me everyday. Now almost 87, she has spent the last three years constantly at my Dad's side, first in the hospital and now in a nursing home, after he was in a horrific accident that left him in a coma for months with severe injuries and brain damage. Her love and devotion, along with much prayer and hard work has brought my Dad back to a point where he enjoys a wonderful quality of life today. Mom never complains and always remains hopeful and sees the postive side of things, even during the darkest of days. She has also been a wonderful support to me this past year as I battled breast cancer and underwent 2 surgeries, chemo and radiation. Thanks Mom!

My Mom, Sheila Hirsch, passed away at the age of 38 from cancer. I was 11 and my sister 16. My Dad did a great job raising us, which at times, was no easy feat. I only had my Mom for a few years but what she instilled in me, I've passed on to my two daughters. I still think of her all the time, and just spoke of the crepes she use to make and had taught me to make...it was even the little things that have stood out from only knowing for such a short time. :D

my mom's name is mary. she will be 80 years old in october. i guess she's had the kind of life most of us will have; one full of joys and sorrows, successes and failures, and all the stuff that falls in between. she is well known and well loved. she will smile at you in the grocery store. i find the very normalcy and "everydayness" of the life she has led a warm and comforting thing. she is special without being extraordinary, she has distinction without being unusual. she has a quiet integrity, an unquenchable curiosity, unfailing kindness and generosity. this inspires me. i aspire to this. i hope my life, like hers, gives me laugh lines and piles of books, battle scars, stimulating conversations, and the love of friends and family.