People-makers: Making a difference in the lives of children.

It's National Make a Difference in Children month, and I can't let this opportunity slip by without recognizing some of the top people from around the web, whom I have been honored to get to know through the magic of social media. This edition will feature the women of the net and we'll let the men shine in another post.  Interestingly, some of these folks I talk with frequently, some not so much...but each one of them has touched my heart because of what they do:

Shara Lawrence-Weiss of www.mommyperks.com - She is unstoppable in her support of children and families. A woman with one of the biggest hearts I know, who is a promoter of all things good, an avid volunteer and champion of social-emotional development. She is also the founder of www.personalchildstories.com and she creates unbelievable hand-made books tailor-made for each child, helping them deal with such things as welcoming a new sibling, celebrating brotherhood, grief and loss and more! A new addition to her family of sites is www.kidsperks.com.

Louise Masin-Sattler of www.signingfamilies.com is a dynamo and a force to be reckoned with. She is a school psychologist and ASL signer extraordinaire. Her joie de vivre comes through even when she is signing. Unbelievable, I know! She does much to foster relationships and communication for the youngest of children, all the way through assisting people in the helping professions deal with signing in times of emergency. Her enthusiasm is catchy and you can hear her on her radio show Wednesday mornings at 9am CST..

Stacey Kannenberg of www.cedarvalleypublishing.com is one to watch. Stacey is a mover and a shaker. She has been heavily involved in education and preserving and improving the integrity of our education system. She is the author of "Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten" and "Let's Get Ready for First Grade", both FABULOUS books to help kids master the basics prior to embarking on those first big years in the "big school"! You can listen in and catch her energy on her radio show on Wednesdays at 12pm CST. Stacey is a maven of all things media.

Dr. Lynne Kenney is just a beautiful soul. A beautiful soul who happens to be smart, perceptive and just what the doctor ordered when in comes to dealing with your kids. She is the author of  "The Family Coach Method".   Her approach with children and families is so gentle and so wonderful…it really just appeals to my heart. Dr. Kenney is an expert that is no stranger to the media, which is a good thing, because her work can be enjoyed by the masses.

Dr. Venus Evans-Winters is professor, author and therapist.  She is changing the world for children by how she prepares the next generation of teachers to critically look at such issues as educational policy, critical race theory, and Black feminism(s).  She is the author of "Teaching Black Girls: Resiliency in Urban Classrooms".   She does all of this while still in the trenches with young children at home. She is brilliantly real and accessible.

Amy Hilbrich Davis at www.inspiringmoms.com is a mom of seven, so you know she knows what she is talking about. When you first meet Amy, you'll notice that you feel as if you are talking to an old friend. She's just that way. Her work that supports moms, in turn benefits all of the children in their care. That is hugely important, because we know that happier moms raise happier kids.

Sandra Huber of www.soulfulparent.com, Karen Bierdeman of www.guiltfreemom.com, and Susan Heid of www.theconfidentmom.com . These three are grouped together, because they are the "trifecta". I got to know each of them individually, but didn't realize they were all connected, having gone through receiving their coaching certificates together. All three of them are certified mom-parenting coaches and they all have heart. When you help a mom deal with stress and other concerns, you help her children. For that, I thank you all!

Monise Seward @EducationCEO is a mom, educator, charter school and school choice advocate, trying to change education one student at a time. She is sweet and savvy and always cares about kids.  She's also downright fun! Thanks for being out there, Monise!

Annie Fox....she rocks....or www.AnnieFox.com is a trailblazer when it comes to helping your tweens/teens navigate some of those really tough spots.  She is the author of the award-winning "Middle School Confidential" series that tackles the tough stuff of adolescence.  Her books are like a guide-map for kids over rough territory!

Sharon Silver of www.proactiveparenting.net empowers parents to raise emotionally healthy and happy kids, through her parenting advice. She's a smart cookie, whose inquisitiveness just shines through everything she does. She dishes up sound, sage advice both online and on the radio. She shows parents how to stop responding and start reacting. Catch her radio show on Thursdays at 2pm CST.

Linda Hahner has plans to revolutionize the world with reading.  A lofty goal, but she is doing it.  Steady, sure and consistent, Linda recognizes the power of the written word...and the ability to read it.  Reading unlocks doors and leads us down paths we might never have otherwise wandered!  I've always loved reading.  No wonder I like Linda Hahner! Reading rules!

Joan Young is a dear, dear woman who  is almost elevated to sainthood in my eyes. She is an "in-the-trenches" teacher of young children, and she really "gets it". She is the author of "25 Super Sight Word Songs and Mini-Books". She is the kind of teacher you wish every child in the world could have the good fortune of experiencing. She is making the big move from early childhood to upper elementary this fall. I wish her luck!

Amanda Jones  is truly a visionary in helping others.  Can you believe that at the age of 10, she began having dreams of opening up her home to homeless youth.  She never let go of that dream and founded Out the Boat Ministries .  Thank you Amanda, for your tireless help for others and your wit and kindness on twitter.

Melissa Wardy at www.pigtailpals.com does more than just clothe girls with her awesomely cool T-shirts that empower them to dream, believe, and do…she's active in several arenas to protect childhood, explore gender related bias and eliminate the hypersexualization of children. Rock on, Miss Melissa, my neighbor in Wisconsin!

Sue Scheff at www.suescheff.com works tirelessly to stop bullying, cyber-bullying and to protect kids from other dangers that lurk both on and off-screen. She assists parents in dealing with problematic issues related to teens through P.U.R.E. She is the author of "Wit's End" and "Google Bomb". Sue is a go-to gal for breaking information on what is happening in the lives of tweens and teens. She is always spot-on!

Hilary Bilbrey of Inspired by Family has a line of safety books to help children learn the vital safety rules to help protect themselves from fires, burns, and deal with attention difficulties.  She also manages Trademark U, which helps develop leadership in teens.  How does she do it all, while raising a young family?  Amazing!  You can hear her on her radio show, too!

And last for today, but certainly NOT least:

Michele Borba at www.micheleborba.com is the mama of all things child-related. She needs no introductions, but I'll give one anyway. Michele is a contributor to the "Today Show" on all things parenting/kid related and she is the author of numerous books, the latest being "The Big Book of Parenting Solutions". I am indebted to Michele for all that I have learned from her through the years, via her books. Some of her books were my steady field companions as I got my start in the field as a Child and Family therapist. Thanks for being there for me, Michele, and more importantly, thanks for being there for children!

The future is bright for our children, because of the women listed above, and others like them. Thank you all for your contributions to improve the lives of children!