January 2007

The Irish Proverb, "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live," is a guiding philosophy for psychologist and best-selling author Mary Pipher, Ph.D. It is also the theme for PAMF's eighth Symposium for Mothers on Saturday, March 17, titled "The Shelter of Each Other: Mothers and Community." Dr. Pipher will be the keynote speaker.

She will deliver a three-hour presentation that focuses on the roles of mothers. Dr. Pipher - whose area of interest is how American culture influences the mental health of its people - is also the author of Reviving Ophelia, Another Country and her latest book, Writing to Change the World.

"Her articulate, passionate and down-to-earth stories invoke hope and enthusiasm in all types of audiences," said Becky Beacom, health education manager at PAMF.

This is not Dr. Pipher's first time presenting at a PAMF-sponsored event. In 1996, Dr. Pipher was the keynote speaker at the PAMF co-sponsored event "Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls." After Dr. Pipher's presentation, PAMF conducted focus groups and sponsored a series of workshops based upon the topics she presented. She visited PAMF again following the release of her book Another Country for an event focused on senior citizens.

"In each of our previous symposia, we've explored an aspect of mothering or focused on a particular issue or topic from a mother's perspective," said Beacom. "We've tried to emphasize the common threads that mothers share in the hopes that it increases the support and understanding they have for each others' experiences." Previous years' symposia have included "Once a Mother, Always a Mother: Caring Across the Generations" and "Embrace the Challenge: Finding Calm Amid the Stress."

"Each year we find a theme or topic that addresses an aspect of mothering," said Beacom. "Mothers leave with new insights, feeling better about their roles."