At Keshet, we’re surrounded by incredible moms every day—women who advocate, support and show up for their children. This Mother’s Day, we’re proud to introduce you to three Keshet moms who do all that and more. Carole Rosen, Amy Cutler and Margaret Tanenberg are not only moms to Keshet participants; they’ve each built careers that uplift and champion for the disability community.
Through their professional work and personal experiences, they remind us what it means to lead with love, live with purpose and create a more inclusive world for everyone. This Mother’s Day, we honor Carole, Amy, Margaret and all Keshet moms for the love they give their families and the lasting impact they make on our community.
Carole Rosen
I am a passionate advocate, community builder, changemaker and devoted mom whose personal and professional life are deeply intertwined by a mission of empowerment and inclusion. As an Advocacy Program Specialist at The Arc of Illinois, I lead initiatives dedicated to systems change that promote full community living, affordable and accessible housing, voting rights and disability justice. Both the Going Home Coalition and REV UP Illinois are people-powered. Statewide collaboration is key to advancing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
But behind every policy, every program and every push for change is my personal story—a story shaped most deeply by my role as Hayden and Ari’s mom.
Hayden, who has physical and intellectual disabilities, is finishing Transition this year. Her happy place is at Keshet, surrounded by caring expert staff and the supportive, inclusive community that celebrates her strengths. Ari, a compassionate, thoughtful young adult and devoted sibling, is building accessible planters for Keshet as his Eagle Scout project.
Together, as a family, we’ve embraced both the challenges and the beauty of navigating life with disability. My advocacy is powered by love, guided by experience, fueled by purpose and driven by the unwavering belief that every person with intellectual and developmental disabilities has the right to live a life of dignity, purpose and belonging in the community.
Learn more about the Going Home Coalition, REV UP Illinois and The Arc of Illinois.
Amy Cutler
As a parent, occupational therapist and advocate, I am deeply committed to inclusivity and belonging within the disability community. My work focuses on ensuring that my daughter Hannah—and others with disabilities—are actively engaged and valued in their communities. Our primary goal is to make sure that their dreams, goals and desires are always at the forefront of everything we do.
I’m particularly interested in the accessibility of physical spaces, especially those designed for recreation and play. I believe every person deserves to participate in activities that bring them joy!
Margaret Tanenberg
I love being a social worker! Hearing people’s stories and offering interpretation and support when needed gave me great satisfaction. My career began as a psychotherapist, helping people make sense of and understand their feelings and situations.
After practicing psychotherapy for eight years, my son Mike was born. His development was delayed, and after much testing and evaluation, he was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome. At the time, there was no internet and little information available about the diagnosis. Whatever I found at the library was old and outdated.
As time passed, Mike received as much therapy as was available…physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and play therapy. In the meantime, I devoted my limited extra time to learning all I could about government benefits for individuals with disabilities, legal instruments to protect those benefits, financial planning, residential programs, best practices for achieving independence, cutting-edge therapies and new medications—anything that could help my son and others with similar needs.
When Mike aged out of special education, I wanted to return to my work as a social worker. I found a position at an innovative, person-centered organization that provides residential support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to live independently in the community.
Having Mike as my son helped shape my career path in a way I never anticipated—but one that’s become deeply meaningful.
