The Mother of a Movement

The Mother of a Movement is a true story of parental support and unconditional love.

The Mother of a Movement tells the story of Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). When her son Morty was beaten by New York City officials for handing out pro-gay leaflets, Manford wrote a powerful letter to the New York Post to complain about how Morty was treated. In the letter she came out as the mother of a gay son. The letter was published. Morty invited his mother to march with him in the June 1972 Christopher Street Parade. While marching, she had the idea to form a group to help parents and families of LGBTQ+ people. That was the beginning of PFLAG.

Rob Sanders is a former elementary school teacher who writes funny and fierce fiction and nonfiction. He is the author of such acclaimed titles as Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt, Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution., and Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights.

He lives in Brandon, Florida. Visit his websiteopens in new window and follow him on Twitteropens in new window.

Sam Kalda is an illustrator and artist based in Saint Paul. His commissioned works include editorial, book, advertising, and pattern illustration.

In 2017, he received a gold medal in book illustration from the Society of Illustrators in New York.

His first book, Of Cats and Men: History's Great Cat-loving Artists, Writers, Thinkers and Statesmen, was published in 2017 with Ten Speed Press. He is the illustrator of When We Walked on the Moon, and the follow-up, When Darwin Sailed the Sea.

Visit his websiteopens in new window to learn more about his work.

• 2022 Foreward INDIES Finalists
• The Children’s Book Council Children’s Favorites Award 2023 for books published in 2022
• 2023 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
• 2023 Orbis Pictus Recommended Book from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
• Finalist for the Jane Addams Children's Book Award in the Younger Children Category

My parents showed families how to love and affirm their LGBTQ children. This is a beautiful celebration of my mother’s life and work, and a powerful story of the importance of allyship.
—Suzanne Manford Swan

Jeanne Manford spoke out publicly and fought by her gay son Morty's side at a time when it was dangerous to do so. She had strength and courage, but it was her unwavering love for her son—and fierce desire to protect him from discrimination, harassment, and harm—that inspired her activism. And now, the organization she founded, PFLAG, has provided support, education, and advocacy to hundreds of thousands of families, and millions of people over the last five decades. The Mother of a Movement: Jeanne Manford—Ally, Activist, and Co-Founder of PFLAG is a beautiful depiction of Jeanne's legacy, and a testament to the power of a parent's love for their child.
—Brian K. Bond, Executive Director, PFLAG National

Rousing prose…a robust list of sources…a timeless feel…Stylish, chic, and strong. Brava!
—Kirkus, Starred Review

• Hear the book read aloud by supporters of PFLAG.opens in new window
• Be Like Jeanne: Allies and LBGTQ+ History (PDF, 125KB)opens in new window
  Read an excerpt from the Discussion Guide at the end of the book.
• The Mother of a Movement Reading and Discussion Guide (PDF, 455KB)opens in new window
• Be Like Jeanne: Allies and LBGTQ+ History (PDF, 118KB)opens in new window
  An excerpt from the Discussion Guide at the end of the book.