Mother of the Year Title Rewards a Superwoman

She didn’t mean to be a hero. But when Gail Williamson’s brother died of cancer leaving behind six children--four under age 18--she stepped forward to adopt them as her own.

Williamson and husband Tommie threw open their three-bedroom home in North Hills for the six girls in 1995, even as they were raising two teenage sons, one of whom was born with Down’s syndrome.

“We felt it was our responsibility because we knew if they didn’t get appropriate care as children they wouldn’t be successful adults,” Williamson said. “We wanted to be proactive rather than reactive.”

Last weekend, the 45-year-old Williamson beat out 38 other contestants to be named Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc., a national nonprofit group promoting the importance of motherhood. She won the California competition to get to the national finals.

She impressed a group of academics judging the event on the strength of a brief speech, extensive biographies of family members, her philosophy on parenting, and letters of recommendation from religious, education and business officials.

But friends and family said Williamson’s devotion to either her job or home life would have been sufficient to earn her accolades. The combination makes her a modern-day Superwoman.

“Every Saturday she takes me to acting class and stays the whole time,” said son Blair, now 19 and a professional actor with a slate of appearances in commercials. “My mom is the best and I love her a lot.”

Williamson is a longtime volunteer who now heads up the talent development and industry relations arm of Media Access Office, a San Fernando Valley organization promoting positive images of the disabled in Hollywood. She preaches to producers, casting directors and writers the importance of moving away from stereotypical characters who are singled out for their disabilities.

After William’s brother, Blair Ford, lost his battle with cancer, Gail and Tommie became legal guardians in 1995 of their underage nieces--Emily, 17; Blair Danielle, 14; Lauren, 12; and Carol, 9--and substitute parents for Jennie, 22, and Noelle, 20.

When they came to live with the Williamsons, there were many adjustments to be made.

Son Tim’s room became the niece’s dorm. The living room was swapped with the dining room to accommodate a 12-seat table. The family’s budget was tightened considerably to make room for their newest members.

From her old family and her new one, Williamson developed her parental philosophy:

1) Life isn’t fair.

2) Things aren’t always what they seem.

3) Never attempt to make a happy baby happier (this includes adult children and spouses).

4) Each child is an individual creation, affected by outside stimulation that is sometimes beyond your control.

It wasn’t only her philosophy that earned Williamson mother of the year, but her work with all children she has encountered, said Ruth Manning, president of American Mothers Inc.

“Gail is representative of all mothers across the country who will be celebrated this Mother’s Day,” Manning said.