You might not realize it, but Leelanau County is not a bad place to be a mother or a grandmother.
In 2019, Leelanau County voters approved a property tax millage to support an early childhood services program administered by our local health department that can be especially helpful to young mothers.
In 2020, Leelanau County voters renewed a property tax millage to support services to county residents over the age of 60. It so happens that the majority of Leelanau County residents in that demographic are women, and many of them are grandmothers.
So, if you’re a mom or a grandma, you’re living in the right Michigan county. A majority of local voters agree that moms and grandmas sometimes need a little extra help around here. Access to healthcare, daycare, transportation and technology can sometimes pose challenges for people who live in rural communities off the beaten path.
Whether you voted for or against funding for government programs that clearly help moms, Mother’s Day gives all of us yet another opportunity to celebrate and honor the incredible women who gave birth to and raised us. It is a day to express gratitude and appreciation for all the love, care, and sacrifice that mothers and grand mothers have put into nurturing and supporting their children and grandchildren.
While some might argue that Mother’s Day is a com- mercial holiday created by businesses to sell cards, flow ers and gifts, it is important to recognize and value the significance of the day. It's not just about recognizing the individual women in our lives, but also about the role that women play in society as a whole.
Historically, women have sometimes been undervalued and marginalized. Mother’s Day is an opportunity to push back against that narrative and affirm the impor tance of the work that mothers and grandmothers do. Celebrating these women is a way to demonstrate our collective appreciation for all the unpaid and often unrecognized labor that goes into caring for families and communities.
From the moment we were born, these women selflessly gave their time, energy and love to ensure that we grew up happy, healthy and loved. They taught us important life lessons, provided us with guidance and support, and were always there to offer a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.
If you’re not a mom, we hope you’ll remember how important moms are. If you are a mom, we hope somebody does something nice for you this Sunday. We wish you a Happy Mother’s Day!
