American Mothers Names Barbara Wittmer Iowa Mother of the Year ®

National Non-Profit to Honor Mothers from Every US State, DC, and Puerto Rico

For Immediate Release, Washington, DC - American Mothers Inc.® has named the state Mother of the Year® and Mother of Achievement honorees for 2016.  Barbara Wittmer from Vinton, IA has been selected to represent the state of Iowa.  She will serve as an ambassador for mothers across the country and will be recognized at an annual national conference in Washington DC on April 26, 2016, where the National Mother of the Year will be named.

American Mothers Inc. ® is celebrating its 81st year of nationally honoring motherhood, educating on issues impacting mothers and children at home, at work, and in the world.  American Mothers recognizes the contributions and commitment to family and community that moms exhibit on a daily basis.

Barbara was born in Wheeling, West Virginia on January 27th, 1937. Her father was a salesman so the family moved a lot. Before getting married and moving to Iowa on Jan 1st, 1957, she was a city girl and lived in Bluefield, West Virginia; Dayton, Ohio; Marion, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; and Hammond, Indiana. Barbara had 5 children from 1957 to 1967. In 1973 the family moved to the farm where she still lives. In 1980 her youngest son Ed was killed in a farm accident and this led to taking in their 1st foster child. Barbara was diagnosis with breast cancer in 1987 and after 52 weeks of chemotherapy, she is 29 year survivor. Barbara is proud to have been chosen an Iowa Master Farm Homemaker in 1990. Warren passed away of a heart attack in 1995. With her son, Bob, Barbara continued Dairy farming till a grandson took over in 2007. Today that same grandson is farming the family farm. She is proud of her 4 surviving children, 4 grandsons, and her growing great grandchildren. Today many of her foster children still call on her for advice and check in with her as they raise their own children and go out into the world.

Barbara was selected from nominees from across the state of Iowa as Mother of the Year because she excels in her role as a mother and as a community leader.

“Every year we are amazed by the passion our “moms” have for being a mother and improving the lives of those around them,” says Dianne Callister, President of American Mothers. “It’s inspiring to see so many women who embody the selfless, caring spirit of motherhood and who are using that maternal energy to make the world a better place.”

Mother of the Year® nominees qualify for the honor by having one or more children and being amazing in their role as mom. Nominees for Mother of Achievement should be an individual who has made a significant contribution to improve the lives of mothers and children in her community and/or the nation but she does not need to have children to qualify.

The public is invited to nominate their favorite “mom” annually from Mother’s Day to November 15 at http://www.americanmothers.org/nomination-form.

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About American Mothers, Inc.
American Mothers, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that recognizes the important role of motherhood through educational programs and community outreach at home, work, and in the world. On an annual basis, American Mothers, Inc. selects the National Mother of the Year® and recognizes Mothers of Achievement from candidates across the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information about the organization, visit http://www.americanmothers.org or call 877-242-4264. Please follow us on Twitter at @AmericanMothers or on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmericanMothers