Dr. Edna M. Grover-Bisker named 2026 Missouri Mother of the Year

LICKING, Mo. — Dr. Edna M. Grover-Bisker, a longtime community leader, educator, and advocate for families across Mid‑Missouri, has been nominated as Missouri’s 2026 Mother of the Year, a statewide honor recognizing exceptional dedication to motherhood, service, and positive impact.

The Missouri Mother of the Year award, presented annually by American Mothers, Inc., celebrates women who exemplify strength, compassion, and commitment to their families and communities. Nominees are selected for their leadership, volunteerism, and the ways they uplift others through both personal and professional contributions.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by this nomination,” Edna said. “Motherhood has shaped every part of who I am—as a woman, a leader, and a member of my community. To be recognized in this way is incredibly meaningful.”

Edna’s journey reflects more than two decades of service in the public and private sector, with experience in politics, transportation, education, and a recent pivot into the healthcare sector where she hopes to expand access to health education and to use her experience and connections to strengthen partnerships across rural Missouri. She is most known for her leadership in higher education, her work supporting women, youth and families, and her dedication to empowering others through education, mentorship, and advocacy.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Edna is celebrated for her devotion to her family—especially her role as a mother and grandmother. Her nomination highlights her resilience through grief and resulting mental health challenges, her communication about the value of compassion, and the example she sets as a champion for parents navigating challenges and triumphs.

The 2026 Missouri Mother of the Year will be formally announced later this year, with the honoree representing the state at the National Mother of the Year celebration.

For more information about the Missouri Mother of the Year program, and/or nominees, visit American Mothers, Inc. 2026 Mothers of the Year® at americanmothers.org/honor-mom/2026-mothers-of-the-year.