The Gem State Guardian - Spring 2011 - Keep Trees

24 The Guardian
Hiedi Young named
“Young Mother of the Year”
By Renee Bade, coordinator, Idaho Family Programs Family Assistance Center
With Gov. Otter looking on after presenting her with the award, Hiedi Young speaks briefl y to
assembled guests in the governor’s offi ce, March 9, 2011. Courtesy photo
Hiedi Young, the Family Assistance
Specialist from Pocatello, was honored
March 9 with the Idaho “Young Mother
of the Year” award. In addition to being
recognized in a luncheon by the American
Mothers Association, she was also
recognized by Gov. Otter during a ceremony
at the Capitol.
As part of her duties as “Young Mother
of the Year,” Hiedi will serve on the board
of directors for the American Mothers
Association. Her platform for her year of
service will focus on providing information
and resources for new mothers. She
will concentrate in the upcoming year on
putting together a packet for new mothers
that contains information on the struggles
of being a new mother and resources on
how to manage the changes.
“I am fi rst and foremost honored
beyond belief,” Young said. “As a military
wife with a full time job, four kids, and my
involvement with the community, I have
often worried if I was doing okay as a
mother and if the kids were going to turn
out okay…and to my relief, they are. I
am completely humbled that others have
seen that and chose me for this prestigious
award. Over the next year as I go
out and represent young mothers in this
capacity, I hope to serve as an example
to others, especially military wives, that
being a good mother is something that
can be done even if you have a busy life.
I also hope to bring more focus to the
struggles and unique circumstances that
military families face every day.”
Young planned to attend the National
American Mother Conference in April,
representing Idaho for the “National
Young Mother of the Year” title.