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We inadvertently become researchers of life and motherhood when we study our own as well as other mothers’ experiences and journeys.
This idea was the concept behind our Summer MC Voices Spotlight Series on Mothers Central. This fall we’ve decided to continue the series by interviewing our Mothers’ Center group members and leaders across the nation.
The NAMC focuses its work in three areas: Motherhood, Work/Life and Advocacy.
Our Mothers’ Center Groups (located across the country) seek to provide a sense of community, and a place to speak honestly and authentically about the joys and challenges of motherhood.
At the heart of this Mothers’ Center culture is the NAMC Staff and (more specifically) our Executive Director. Kicking off our fall season of interviews, we are excited to introduce you to Alison La Ferlita – a fearless and resourceful mother of two who also happens to be our new NAMC Executive Director. Let’s meet Alison…
Q: What 3 words do you think best describe you and why?
A: Nurturing. Tenacious. Resourceful.
Not only do I try to be nurturing to my family, but I extend that as well to my friends and community – I believe my role in this world is to be of service.
Tenacious in that if I set a goal, I will be fervent about reaching it.
Resourceful because I am often known as the “person to ask” when looking for anything – be it an apartment, a job, a spouse – I love to research, find solutions or (at minimum) point others in the right direction.
Q: What are some of your personal passions, hobbies and interests.
A: Spending time with my husband and two boys is what gives me the most joy in life. My children are still very small and I love experiencing all of their firsts with them. I am also an avid cyclist, reader and love to decorate. Home Goods is my “home away from home”.
Q: When did you 1st hear about Mothers’ Centers?
A: I love this story… My first son was three months old. I was standing in the return line at TJ Maxx when a woman with her four children in tow walked past me. I must have had this new mommy glaze over my eyes or wore a look of desperation on my face; whatever it was, this mother felt compelled to stop her tribe and say to me, “You need to know about the Mothers’ Center.” I said, “Okay. What is this Mothers’ Center you speak of and where can I find it?”
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“I must have had the new mommy glaze over my eyes,
or wore a look of desperation on my face…”
I joined the center’s transitions group and was hooked from the beginning. All of the isolation I was feeling, the mourning of my former fabulous ‘Sex and the City’ lifestyle and the reassurance I needed that I was “normal” was acknowledged and respected within my first meeting. After that, there was no turning back.
Q: Tell us a little about your family…
A: I am married to a great man and father and we have two sons, Shane (4) and Reilly (2). When my mother wished “ten just like yourself” on me, I indeed managed to get all ten in my eldest son and a mirror reflection of my own temperament in my second. Motherhood sure has a way of making one feel guilty about the hell you put your own mother through.
Q: What is one of your favorite memories as a parent,
A: Because my boys are still so young, I feel we are only starting to create the memories. That being said, watching my boys play nicely together gives me so much joy and hope that they will grow into being each others’ best friend.
Q: How has having children changed you both personally and professionally?
A: There’s not enough space in this article to say how it has changed me.
Personally, after I became a mother, all the lessons my own mother taught me about motherhood came flooding back. She always made her children a priority and likewise so have I – my children come first above and beyond all things. Often I say “my children saved me from myself”, because they truly opened my eyes to the world and made me realize the breadth of responsibility a parent has towards their child(ren)’s future as (hopefully) well adjusted contributing members of society.
Professionally, I have been fortunate enough to have made a career for myself whilst being able to see my kids through their youngest years. Having children lead me to the Mothers’ Center, which gave me a focused passion to support all moms and then eventually a job opportunity to do so. I consider myself one lucky mama!
Q: What excites you most about your new position as the NAMC Executive Director?
A: What doesn’t excite me?! I’m coming in at an integral point of change. I have some really big, loved and well respected shoes to fill after Linda Juergens’ retirement. I am viewing this as a passing of the torch from one generation of Mothers’ Center to the next.
- I am excited to get the word out to even more mothers about Mothers’ Center groups and our programs.
- I am excited to be part of the work/life movement.
- And I am excited about supporting our advocacy for family rights.
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Thank you Alison La Ferlita, for sharing your life and words here with us on Mothers Central.
Leave a Comment: Please help us give a warm welcome to NAMC Executive Director Alison La Ferlita. Do you have additional questions for her? Share them in the comments section below!
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Alison, Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions and connecting with our members and readers at Mothers Central. A BIG welcome as our new Executive Director! The NAMC staff and the organization as a whole is so fortunate to have found you to help lead us through our upcoming transitions and growth.
Really enjoyed your answers to these questions Alison! Welcome aboard
As a member of the Board of Trustees for the NAMC and part of the Executive Director search committee I am so pleased for Alison to be introduced to the NAMC members. Now everyone will have a chance to be as impressed as the search committee was when we interviewed Alison. Her energy, enthusiasm and resourcefulness will be a welcome addition to the staff. Thanks for a great introductory interview.
You go girl. You are fearless. You are resourceful and you live in long beach..hope to visit soon. Welcome.
I hope to have the opportunity to meet Alison soon. It’s an incredible experience when the “mommy glaze” turns into eyes filled with wonder at a child’s “firsts”, stars for that child’s bright future and, ultimately, the confident gaze of wisdom.