Holders of the Motherhood Order and laureates of the Z.M. Tusnolobova-Marchenko prize were honored in Vitebsk
A celebration of mothers with many children took place at the regional executive committee on the eve of Mother's Day. 13 of them were awarded the Order of Mother, 25 – the regional prize named after Hero of the Soviet Union Z. Tusnolobova-Marchenko.
The women honored with awards are united by responsible and happy motherhood. Their characteristics include exclusively positive feedback from their workplaces, and the common thread is information that mothers pay great attention to the upbringing and development of their children, have an active life position, and serve as an example to others.
– Mothers who have given birth to and raised children are honored in all corners of the country on the eve of the national holiday – Mother's Day, – Igor Brylo, Aide to the President – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, addressed the heroines of the occasion. – May your children grow up healthy, delight you with their successes, become true citizens of their country, people you will not be ashamed of! You are performing a serious feat of motherhood – and the country is grateful to you for it.
Igor Brylo presented the Order of Mother to residents of the region who gave birth to and raised five children.
The festive hall was bright with the smiles of beautiful women. They were especially elegantly dressed for the solemn occasion. Each was accompanied by a child, and all the children, when asked if they liked the holiday and if they were happy for their mother, answered:
– We are very happy! My mom is the best.
– Receiving such a high state award is very exciting and honorable. I think all women whose maternal labor is recognized today share such feelings, – shared her emotions Yulia Khodos, a nurse at Polyclinic No. 5 of Orsha City Hospital. – For this celebration, my family delegated the eldest of my five sons, Ivan. The others and my husband are eagerly waiting at home. Of course, today is a joy for us!
– We are sincerely proud of you, – Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vyacheslav Durnov admitted to the distinguished large families. – You are raising wonderful children who show success in their studies, creativity, and sports. This is your great achievement. The state constantly supports the institutions of family, motherhood, and childhood. The system of support measures includes 11 different types of family benefits, payments, benefits, and guarantees.
As of early October 2023, family capital has been granted to over 900 large families. Almost 950 decisions have been made on the early disposal of capital funds, 70% of which are for the construction and acquisition of housing.
In 2023, material assistance for preparing children for the academic year was provided to 23,000 families raising almost 44,000 children, totaling 4.6 million rubles.
To enhance the prestige of motherhood and strengthen the institution of the family, 20 years ago the Regional Executive Committee established a prize named after Hero of the Soviet Union Z. Tusnolobova-Marchenko. During this time, it has been awarded to 572 mothers from large families – residents of the Vitebsk region.
This year, the award ceremony was conducted by Vyacheslav Durnov.
– I professionally work as a mother, – smiles the prize laureate, foster parent of a family-type children's home from Postavy, Tatyana Pasechnik. – My husband Yuri and I have given love and care to 19 children who needed it. We are currently raising 11 children. We became foster parents in 2011. A year earlier, for the birth of five sons (we adopted the sixth), I became a recipient of the Order of Motherhood. Being a mother is difficult, but joyful, and I feel I am in my place, I wish for no other destiny.
Speaking about awarding mothers with many children with the regional prize, one cannot fail to recall the heroic woman whose name the award bears. The tragic story of the 23-year-old nurse, who lost her arms and legs at the front, is known to every Belarusian. As is the love story of Zina Tusnolobova and Iosif Marchenko: the handsome officer married the disfigured bride and was her support until the end of his life. They had four children in their marriage. However, only two were destined to become adults. Zinaida was not only involved in the household but was also a public activist.
In our family, from generation to generation, the story of our own grandmother, Zinaida Valyuk, a recipient of the Order of Maternal Glory, 3rd degree, is passed down about a personal meeting with the legendary woman. Back in the 60s, mothers with many children were honored on the eve of International Women's Day. A large meeting was held in Polotsk. When it was announced that the guest of honor at the event was Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko and her husband Iosif carried her to the presidium in his arms, the hall stood up. Many were crying. The applause did not subside – this is how people expressed their admiration for the feat of the female soldier, the female mother.
It is an honor to become a laureate of the prize named after her: it is as if the heroine herself expresses her approval and thanks women for the high mission of motherhood, the continuation of life, and ensuring the future of their native land.
Photo by Dmitry OSIPOV. "Vitebskiye Vesti"