Karen E. Bayne, B.A.
Childbirth Educator/Labor Support, Gentle Balance Birth

I am inspired by MotherWoman's commitment to changing the way our culture supports moms and families during the postpartum year - and beyond. I work as a childbirth educator and birth doua  (www.gentlebalancebirthnorthampton.com) , in addition to working as the MotherWoman group facilitator at the Amherst Family Center.  It has been my pleasure to serve growing families since 2003 as a birth doula and educator. I am happy that I can confidently refer families I serve to MotherWoman for help and support.

Tamara Bowman, B.A.
Marketing and Social Media Professional

Before MotherWoman came into my life with open arms, I was filled with unasked questions and unspoken thoughts about parenting.  I had been afraid to give voice to them for fear they were wrong...or weird.  Through MotherWoman, I learned that nothing I could say was wrong or weird.  It was just motherhood.  Real motherhood.  I joined the Board of Directors because I could see the impact MotherWoman had on me, our community, and our world.  I couldn't help but want to be part of this strong and inspiring organization.

Tamara is a full-time mother as well as a Syndicated Blogger (TamaraLikeCamera), Freelance Photographer and Social Media Consultant.  She graduated with honors from Douglass College - Rutgers University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Media Studies.

Jessica Gorman, M.A., M.L.S.
Writing Instructor, Amherst College

I feel very privileged to be involved with such a smart, inspiring group of women as those who work and volunteer with Motherwoman. The Northampton and Amherst support groups have helped me through some tough patches in my mothering/personal life, and I'm so happy to be able to give back. In addition to mothering two young children, I have made my professional way in academia. I work in Amherst College's Writing Center, where I teach academic writing skills and strategies in tutorials and informal workshops; I'm also a former reference/instructional librarian and adjunct writing instructor. I hold two degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (M.A.-English and M.S.-Library Science) and a B.A. from Goucher College in Baltimore. Given all that, it's not shocking to say that I love to read, but I also love to sew, garden, and dance (especially ballet).

Jennifer Hotchkiss Kaplan, J.D.
Attorney, Stay-at-home mother

I was motivated to join MotherWoman after witnessing the organization's positive and visible advocacy for tangible improvements to health and social policy to benefit mothers and families in my community. I continue to be impressed with the singular leadership that MotherWoman has provided -- locally and nationally -- in establishing more attention and better care for women with postpartum depression. In working towards accomplishing these wonderful goals, as a MotherWoman board member I bring my years of volunteer work as a foster child mentor, a low-income tax preparer, and ESL tutor; my analysis and writing skills; my sense of humor; and my law degree. During most waking hours, I am a stay-at-home mom to three children. When time and family permit, I enjoy moving to new cities, hiking, reading old mystery novels, dancing in my kitchen, and knitting.

Cathy Manly, M.B.A.,  Ph.D Candidate, Higher Education Researcher,  University of Massachusetts, Amherst

I see a large part of MotherWoman's success and expansion stemming from the organization's recognition that motherhood in the contemporary United States is frequently isolating, simultaneously wonderful and challenging, and lacking basic systemic support in numerous key areas. MotherWoman helps women through their transition to motherhood on a personal level and empowers them to understand and take action on broader policy issues impacting all mothers. This combination strikes a powerful resonating chord with many mothers and those who care about them.

Catherine Manly is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in higher education policy and leadership. Her research interests involve the transition from PK-12 to college, the increased relevance of postsecondary education to all citizens, and the role of online learning in reshaping the education landscape. She has over a decade of professional experience revolving around the intersection of technology, teaching, and learning in liberal arts, community college, and online settings. Most recently, she directed the Educational Technology and Distance Learning Department at Manchester Community College in Connecticut. She has also worked in educational technology at Amherst College. She received her MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix Online, and her BA in astronomy and music (both magna cum laude) from Amherst College. She is an alumnae of the Frye Leadership Institute sponsored by the Council on Library and Information Resources, EDUCAUSE, and Emory University. In addition to teaching educational technology online, she has given numerous conference and other invited presentations on educational technology and higher education finance, has written and directed several grant projects, and has won several awards for her work and research.
Ms. Manly has volunteered on the Board of MotherWoman since 2007, serving as president between 2007 and 2009. She feels inspired by MotherWoman's mission and brings her passion for organizational leadership and finances to support its work, currently serving on the Finance and Personnel Committee. She also volunteers for several other local non-profit organizations and is the proud mother of two fabulous little boys.

Jessica  Montagna, M.Ed.,
Training and program development, Stay-at-home mother

MotherWoman provides much needed support groups that bring mothers together and provides the forum for mothers to hear that they are not alone in their struggles. This is a very simple, yet revolutionary idea, and MotherWoman is changing the way women talk about motherhood.

Jessica has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Wheelock College in Boston, a Masters in Social Justice Education and a Certificate in Advanced Feminist Theory from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a trained Intergroup Dialogue facilitator and mediator, focusing on issues surrounding gender, class, and sexuality. Jessica has diverse professional experiences, ranging from caring for young children and infants to training young adults and undergraduate students facilitation skills and community building. She is most importantly the proud mama to her vibrant and energetic toddler Oliver.