Nominations open for International Mother of Distinction Award

Nominations are open for the inaugural International Mother of Distinction (IMOD) Award for mothers who have proven to be nurturers, role models, achievers and agents of change.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, March 18, 2011.

Conceived and created by Jamaican-born, Canadian businessman, Delford Blythe, the IMOD Award will be handed out to five mothers who fulfill the criteria the judges are seeking.

Mr. Blythe said he came up with the idea because mothers should be honoured, noting that behind every successful individual or child is a loving and devoted mother.

“The simple truth is that the cornerstone of my desire is to ensure that mothers are recognised and celebrated for their extraordinary role in the development and advancement of society,” he said.

At the launch, which took place last year at the offices of the Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto, Mr. Blythe said each year the judges will choose one mother for the Founders Award, while the other four will be chosen from the nominations submitted. Mrs. Jennifer Bolt, mother of Jamaica’s sprint champion, Usain Bolt, was chosen as the recipient of the first Founders Award, “because of the significant impact she has had on the life of her son.”

The IMOD Award is open to all mothers from around the world and from all walks of life.  On May 7, the inaugural awards ceremony will be held in Toronto, where all five mothers will receive their awards, and a donation will also be made in each of their names to a charity in their home country.

Mr. Blythe said he is driven by Marion C. Garretty’s quote: “A mother’s love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.”

Additional information and the nomination form can be accessed at: www.mothersofdistinction.com

CONTACT:   CAROLYN GOULBOURNE-WARREN

                     JIS INFORMATION ATTACHÉ

                     JAMAICAN CONSULATE

                     TORONTO