Maya Featured in Mom 2.0: Moms Making a Difference

I am honored to be spotlighted in Mom 2.0’s “Four Seasons of Impact: Moms Making a Difference Year-Round” feature. The article celebrates the work of four women—Laurie Segall, Shannon Watts, Zoe Winkler Reinis, and myself—and highlights how mothers can be a powerful force for good year-round.

Having devoted much of my professional and personal life to promoting early literacy, I appreciate Mom 2.0’s recognition as a way to help spread the message about what it will take to build true literacy for all. 

It was also an honor to be featured alongside these other changemakers, each making an impact— Laurie through tenacious journalism, Shannon through relentless advocacy for gun safety, and Zoe through heart-driven humanitarian work. To stand in community with other women working for a better tomorrow is deeply meaningful.

I was featured as the “Summer” voice in this seasonal spotlight, a time for “growth and exploration,” in the article’s words—which feels fitting for the work I do. In my book, Reading for Our Lives: The Urgency of Early Literacy and the Action Plan to Help Your Child, I advocate for early, intentional support of children’s reading development. I believe deeply that literacy is among the greatest gifts we can give all our children. It’s also one of the most powerful ways we can equip the next generation to succeed, thrive, and lead.

Reading isn’t just about decoding letters on a page. It’s about opening doors—socially, emotionally, and academically. With nationwide challenges evident in reading scores, my work feels more urgent than ever. Through my book, speeches, workshops, and blog, I’m committed to giving parents the tools and encouragement they need to support their kids, starting well before kindergarten.

I’m grateful to Mom 2.0 for elevating this mission and for continuously shining a light on the impact of mothers as leaders, educators, and changemakers. Motherhood has many faces, and this feature is a beautiful reminder that no matter your passion or profession, you can channel it into something that benefits your community—and the world.

Check out the full feature here:

Here’s to all the moms and caregivers making a difference in every season—and to the many more ready to step into their own impact.