Mommy's Law: Women Leaders on Their Mothers

Congressional leaders on the advice that helped define them.

Mother Knows Best - Girls often spend our formative years thinking that the most complicated relationship we'll ever have is with a romantic other until, that is, we have daughters of our own. And sometimes it is not until we are fully grown women ourselves that we realize the relationship we had with our mothers will likely be the most uplifting, complex, confusing and profound of our lives. In honor of Mother's Day, BET.com gathered quotes from several members of the Congressional Black Caucus about the most valuable advice they received from the women who helped define them. Read on to learn how those words of wisdom helped shape them into the accomplished and powerful women they are today. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)
Rep. Alma Adams (North Carolina) - “My mother, a strong African-American woman who will be 90 this year, is my 'shero.' All her life, she worked as a domestic worker and she cleaned homes so that I didn’t have to. Through my mother, I learned the importance of getting an education and understanding my worth and power as an African-American woman," says Rep. Alma Adams, pictured here with her 'shero.' "I have always known the value of education because she made sure it was ingrained in me as a young child. Those crucial lessons and that education she encouraged me to get changed my life and are why I am able to stand here today as a member of Congress, an advocate for the voiceless and a former educator. As a mother and grandmother, I have instilled in my children, those same core values of education and self-worth.” (Photo: Courtesy of Rep. Alma Adams)
Rep. Karen Bass (California) - "My mother taught me that it takes two to tangle. In other words, you don’t have to get into conflicts unless you choose to get into them,” says Rep. Karen Bass, pictured here with her mother and daughter. (Photo courtest of Karen Bass)Rep. Joyce Beatty (Ohio) - "My 91-year-old mother is a great inspiration to me. She is healthy, lives by herself and still loves cooking. Years ago, my mom shared a great piece of wisdom with me: The most important two words you can every say to someone are 'thank you,' and I try to use as them often as possible," says Rep. Joyce Beatty, seen here with her mother. "Kindness and thankfulness go a long way in the journey toward achieving great successes. So on this Mother's Day, 'Thank you, Mom.'" (Photo: Courtesy of Rep. Joyce Beatty)

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Mother Knows Best - Girls often spend our formative years thinking that the most complicated relationship we'll ever have is with a romantic other until, that is, we have daughters of our own. And sometimes it is not until we are fully grown women ourselves that we realize the relationship we had with our mothers will likely be the most uplifting, complex, confusing and profound of our lives. In honor of Mother's Day, BET.com gathered quotes from several members of the Congressional Black Caucus about the most valuable advice they received from the women who helped define them. Read on to learn how those words of wisdom helped shape them into the accomplished and powerful women they are today. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

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