“Mom’s philosophy was, ‘You are on this earth to make the world a better place…She built confidence that you could do anything, you could be excellent and she could help you get there. She was, and is today, very powerful.” —Sarah Duncan, Honey Skinner and Keith Goldstein on Sue Duncan, Founder of the Sue Duncan Children’s Center.

Honey Jacobs Skinner, Keith Kiley Goldstein and Sarah Duncan know about good moms and power.

As the 11th of 13 children, Honey could have gotten lost in the pack. Instead, she graduated from Harvard and became a partner at Sidley Austin with a powerful lobbying practice even while she was raising 2 great sons and is supporting her husband’s high profile career (Sam Skinner was Chief of Staff for George H. W. Bush, among other powerful jobs). Illinois state legislators consider Honey an angel for children because of her thoughtful work on behalf of Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Keith Kiley Goldstein earned a Wharton MBA and worked in commercial banking and real estate before deciding to exercise more power on behalf of children through organizations like the Ounce of Prevention, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Civic Consulting Alliance while raising her two children and supporting her own powerful husband (Rodney Goldstein is a Managing Partner of Frontenac Fund).

Because they are inspiring women and moms in their own right, it really caught my attention when Honey & Keith wrote about Sue Duncan, because she so inspires them.

Sue raised 3 kids – including Sarah and current US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan – with them working at her side in an after school tutoring center that she founded in one of Chicago’s worst neighborhoods.

Sue’s compassion, determination and dedication transformed the lives of thousands of children who most needed help. And she raised amazing kids in the process. Please learn more about Sue’s work and watch the inspiring documentary shown at the UNICEF event where Sue was honored.

A great mom like Sue Duncan is a powerful person indeed. Thanks for reminding us all of that, Honey & Keith.