The women we honor on our Mother’s Day midweek blog posts may not all be mothers in the traditional sense, but they were or are all mothers to our society as they helped to advance, educate and enrich all people all over the world. Kids or not, we’re all the children of these beautiful women.

When I put together the list of women I wanted to feature for our midweek blog posts, Hedy Lamarr was not on the list. In fact, I had forgotten all about her as I used something every day that can be attributed to her. My attention turned back to her last week when I heard a story on the local Orlando television station that Hedy was getting a historical marker in Central Florida to recognize and honor her as a Jewish American actress. I thought, I seem to remember there being a lot more to Hedy than that …

She’s not just a beautiful Delilah; she can detect and destroy the enemy with guided torpedoes. Hedy and her friend, George Antheil, a composer and pianist, designed and patented a system that frequency jumped radio waves to defeat the Nazis whom she fled in 1933. This is the same technology that is in our cellphones and WiFi today. In techy circles, she’s known as the Mother of WiFi. She did have three children and six husbands if anyone is counting.

Her leading men included Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and more. She was in over 30 movies and more than 10 television appearances. Radio waves weren’t the only thing she tinkered with in her spare time; she invented a fizzy tablet that was supposed to make a drink when dropped in water. She said it tastes too much like AlkaSeltzer, so she abandoned that project.

There is a Showtime series coming up featuring Gal Gadot as Hedy, which sounds like a great tale to get immersed in.

If you want to read more about Hedy, here is the Hedy Lamarr official website link. She’s a classy and fascinating woman.

Other fascinating things to discover are the handmade gift ideas for Mom this Mother’s Day. Here are just a few of the classy designs from makers that are sure to please Mom, Grandma, Auntie and all of the other women on your gift list.

Baby Q Candy Sticker Labels Fit Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates – Set of 240

Adore by Nat

Red Poppy on Black Enamel Earrings, Handmade Lampwork Jewelry

Victorian Style Treasures 

BLACK and CREME Geometric Print Notecards Set of 6 with White Envelopes

Claire M Designs 2

Black Onyx Sterling Silver Necklace With Large 2 Inch Sardonyx Pendant And Earrings

The Singing Beader 

Big Letter Art Store 

Colleen Cornelius 

Black Iris Memory Bracelet w Multi Color Crystals

Magdalene Jewels 

American Alligator Fine Art Print

Joanne Carey 

Stars Moon Lampwork Earrings, Dark Blue Pewter Handmade Jewelry Gift

ShadowDogDesigns 

Black Onyx Cross with Clear Rock Crystal and Carnelian Necklace Christian Handmade Adjustable Beaded Statement

RiverdellRocksSedona 

Wire Beaded Kippah - Purple Wire and Black Pearls 4.5

LinorStoreDesigns

Artsy, Black and White, Pendant and Earring Set

Watercolorsnmore

Dressy Classic Black Lampwork Dangle Earrings with Swarovski Crystals Sterling Silver

Covergirl Beads 

 Handmade Blue Black and Orange Fractal Art Earrings for Women Dangle with Silvertone Fishhook Earwires Lampwork Beads

Blue Morning Expressions 

If you don't see what you want from this list, here are some other places you might find the perfect gift for Mom:

Mother's Day Countdown 2023 Week 1

Many artists are happy to do custom work for you, so if you see a style you like, then contact the artist and ask them if they do custom work. 

Enjoy and happy shopping!

Julie