This coming Sunday is Mother's Day - a special day to honor our moms and thank them for all they do. My mother, Alice, was a very special woman. Not only did she raise my brother and me and take great care of my father, she was very active in her local community, in politics and she helped my dad start and run this company.
Back then, it was common for women to stay home, but my mother always seemed to be out working on new projects or events, but she still found plenty of time to be with and care for her family. My wife Donna and my daughter Debbie are just the same - Donna is involved with many local charities, including the Women's Heart Board in Washington, D.C., and organizations around the country. Debbie works full time as Marriott's senior vice president of government affairs and serves on several charity boards, but they both find time for their families.
We have many working mothers within our company, and one of these very special women, Maruiel Perkins-Chavis, was just named one of Working Mother magazine's Working Mothers of the Year. Maruiel is vice president of workforce effectiveness and diversity here at Marriott's headquarters, and, also, a mother of two children, ages 14 and 10.
Maruiel is responsible for making sure Marriott creates career and growth opportunities for our diverse associates who have many different talents and skills. She also works to ensure that all of our associates maintain a healthy work-life balance. But despite her busy schedule, she still makes time for her family and works with her husband to keep everyone's schedules running smoothly.
This is such a tremendous honor for Maruiel. I am so proud of her for receiving this award and I thank her for all she has done for our company for the past 19 years.
I want to wish her and all the other mothers out there a very happy Mother's Day this weekend. Thank you for all you do.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Recognizing Moms Everywhere This Mothers Day
It is always great to hear about the accomplishments of Marriott associates, including the one about Maruiel's being named one of the Working Mothers of the year timed with Mother's day. Speaking of Mother's day, I wanted to let you know that I had an outstanding Mother's day brunch at your Key Bridge Marriott. The staff there did an exceptional job making sure that the day was special for my wife, my mother and my grandmother, all of whom enjoyed the great meal and the great views. I especially wanted to let you know that I appreciated the special assistance that the manager on duty (I believe his name was Omar) provided to all of us.
Posted by: Neil | 05/11/2009 at 03:20 AM
Mr. Marriott:
I resend my 05/13/08 comment: Who will figure out the combination? America hungers for it! Is it You or someone who you are mentoring?
Posted By: Juliette Adams(5/13/2007)
Comment: Dear Mr. Marriott: It is a delight and I sometimes smile when my daughter, Terica describes me, so I appreciate your sharing. It is awesome to listen to a child's description of a parent as a solver of all problems; however the security of that trust cannot be overestimated. Thanks. As a mother myself, let me share one of my many perspectives of motherhood:
Motherhood is one of the most silent and potent emotions within a human. It encompasses birth, nuturing, direction, spirituality and the evolving of the entire universe. That is one of the reasons I am convinced within all arena of success the motherhood phenomena must be present. To put it simply, somewhere, somewhere, there is the toil of a woman. Even though you speak more of your father, your mother's contribution is ever present in your unspoken words. It is a pity no one has to date created a viable blueprint for humanity to harness the respect and energies of motherhood.
Posted by: Juliette Adams | 05/08/2009 at 12:40 PM