Whether Mother’s Day is a joyous or difficult day for you and yours, we’ve pulled together stories of motherhood in its many forms. We hope to offer you moments of laughter, peace, understanding, and a chance to reflect on the impact of the mother figures in your life. If you’re looking for a gift for Mother’s Day, consider our Great Questions Card Deck — a perfect way to deepen connections and spark meaningful conversations.
New Animation!
Heart to Heart
Yomi was born with a rare genetic disorder that causes her bones to break under the slightest pressure. Doctors told her mom that Yomi might not survive. Years later, Yomi thanked her mom for never giving up on her in a StoryCorps conversation.Yomi was born with a rare genetic disorder that causes her bones to break under the slightest pressure. Doctors told her mom that Yomi might not survive. Years later, Yomi thanked her mom for never giving up on her in a StoryCorps conversation.
Lessons From Lourdes
Lourdes Villanueva grew up a daughter of migrant workers. Her family was constantly on the move, preventing Lourdes from receiving her high school diploma. Despite all the odds stacked against her, she was determined to earn her GED before her children received their high school diplomas. At StoryCorps, Lourdes sits down with her son Roger, who reflects on how his mom’s achievements inspired him.
Walking in a Mother’s Legacy
Sada Jackson sat down to learn about her late mother through her mom’s best friend, Angela Morehead-Mugita.
Joyce’s Neighborhood
Growing up, Mary Mills didn’t have siblings to play with, but she was never lonely. At StoryCorps, Mary sits down with her mother Joyce to reflect on sharing her with the neighborhood kids.
Me & You
Jackie’s life changed when she and her husband adopted their son, Scott. She shares with Scott for the first time what led her to make that decision. They reflect on their love for one another.
More Stories of Motherhood
“It’s Like This Invisible Golden Lasso.”
Corey Harvard was raised in Mobile, and grew up in a deeply religious home. But in middle school, he realized he was queer, and struggled to come out to his parents. Above all he worried it would change how much they loved him. But it didn’t. At StoryCorps, Corey sat down with his mother, Lisa Harvard, to reflect on that time.
A Mother Like No Other
Folashade Alao remembers when she delivered a Declaration of Independence to her mother, Margaret Powell, and how it shaped their relationship. At StoryCorps, Margaret and Folashade talk about parenthood and their relationships with one another.
A Bond That Carried Through Loss
In 2000, Jami Miyamoto traveled to China to adopt a baby girl. Two decades later, Jami and her daughter, Daily, came to StoryCorps to reflect on their relationship and their shared desire to meet Daily’s birth family.
Reflections on Resilience
StoryCorps conversations aren’t scripted, and even the participants can be surprised by what comes up when they get behind the mic. That’s what happened to Karina Borgia-Lacroix, when she brought her 10-year-old son, Levi, to the StoryCorps Mobile Booth in Fort Myers, Florida, and he asked her what her favorite memory of him was.
When Life Ends, Love Remains
Conchetta Brown has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and uses oxygen. At a StoryCorps recording booth, 66-year-old Conchetta and her daughter, Nidera Brown, shared an open conversation about their afterlife plans and the enduring power of love.
When Lightning Strikes
The odds of being struck by lightning in a given year is less than one in a million, according to the CDC. In the summer of 2014, however, Donna Salemink found herself in that incredibly rare occurrence. She came to StoryCorps with her daughter, Melissa, to remember the split second that changed everything.
Mama Sug
Affectionately known as “Sug,” Cora Lee Collins captured the hearts of all. At StoryCorps, Sug’s daughter and granddaughter, Penelope Simmons and Suzanne Wayne, come together to reminisce about the wild, fun, and loving household Penelope grew up in and the endearing qualities that made her Mama Sug so cherished by everyone.
“Motherhood Is Not A Solo Journey”
Luz Kenyon grew up in Mexico City, Mexico and in the mid 1980s she took a trip to New York City to celebrate her friend’s college graduation. She had no idea she would fall in love with a Jamaican traffic agent on the corner of 42nd street, and never go home. She came to StoryCorps with her daughter, Anna Paloma Williams, to talk about this unexpected start to their family, and how she navigated raising mixed kids in America.
Want even more stories? Sign up for our Story of the Week newsletter to discover a new voice every week.