Our History

Mothers & More has proudly provided mothers with programming, information and resources that address the "other than mother" aspects of women's lives for over 20 years. Our nationwide network has grown to over 100 chapters, serving approximately 100,000 mothers over the years.

The Beginning

Upon the birth of her second child, Joanne Brundage left her job as a letter carrier. She soon felt the stress associated with the transition from full-time employment to at-home motherhood.  She placed a notice in her local newspaper and heard from several mothers who also felt they needed to connect with like-minded women. They held the first Mothers & More meeting in August 1987 at Joanne’s home in Elmhurst, IL.

Originally known by its acronym, F.E.M.A.L.E.—Formerly Employed Mothers at Loose Ends, the first chapter (DuPage County, IL) quickly grew and received much local and national press attention. When the group was mentioned in Ms., Parents, and other national magazines, women across the country began inquiring about starting chapters.

From Loose Ends to Leading Edge and More

In May 1991, the organization’s name changed to Formerly Employed Mothers At the Leading Edge to better describe the members and reflect the organization's commitment to educating and motivating businesses and government about the value and necessity of all mothers' work to our society - paid and unpaid, within and outside the home.

F.E.M.A.L.E. officially became Mothers & More in 2000 to reflect the many additional roles mothers play during their active parenting years, as well as to recognize that while a good portion of our members were altering their career paths, many were not “formerly employed.”