Shot@Life Birthday Bash

Myrdin: I actually had to write a blog post about that since I get asked quite a lot “what do you do?” First, my biggest (and most wonderful) responsibility is raising my three children. I try to be as actively engaged in their educational opportunities by volunteering in our schools and community. I often consult with other parents, families, the school district, and both State and National Departments of Education on how to create more positive and productive family engagement partnerships which lead to greater student and school success. I also am the editor-in-chief and a contributing writer to MOMentumNation as well as a Grassroots Poverty Expansion Associate for RESULTS. A typical day involves lots of laundry and taking care of domestic details, but I also manage to run about 5-8 miles (depending on my time), then write, connect, read, advocate, communicate, cooperate, collaborate, but somehow rarely delegate.

SDMS: How did you hear about Shot@Life?

Myrdin: In 2011 I was named a delegate to Parenting magazine Mom Congress (representing Kentucky). In 2012, Shot@Life became a “cause” partner and delegates were asked to apply to be a part of the inaugural program. I applied and was accepted. As it was the first year, we only had a basic understanding of this initiative: $5 vaccinates a child against four illnesses (polio, measles, rotovirus, pneumonia) and can give them a “shot@life.”