Arc Southeastern Minnesota is celebrating 50 years of advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families this year. On Friday May 6th, we honored Louise Shefelbine, Jean Peterson and Lorna Schunke -- The Founding Mothers -- who started this wonderful organization.

Jean Peterson recalled how she placed a newspaper ad in the early 1950s, seeking out other parents of children with disabilities for support as she cared for her daughter, Cathy.

Louise Shefelbine and Lorna Schunke responded to the ad and they started meeting in Jean's living room. Before long they started a Sunday school class and recreation group, and hired a special education teacher for their children! They also lobbied legislators to fund programs for those with disabilities.

Their work led to the founding of "The Association for Retarded Children of Olmsted County". Subsequently the word Children was changed to Citizens. Today we are known as Arc Southeastern Minnesota - an agency that provides advocacy and support for people with developmental disabilities and their families. These three ladies each chaired Arc's Board of Directors back in 1956, 1957 and 1958.

Three other mothers of children with developmental disabilities, Kay Fockler (Andy - age 32), Peggy O'Toole-Martin (Allie - Age 20) and Brenda Kann (Maria age-6) were on hand and talked about what life is like for their daughter or son today. Kay, Peggy and Brenda conveyed their appreciation and respect to the founding mothers for improving lives for people with disabilities and their families. We all owe a debt of gratitude to these pioneers.