CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Susanna Quinn, Dale Mathias, Capricia Marshall, and Dorothy McAuliffe. Susanna Quinn is wearing an Alice + Olivia top, pants by Chado Ralph Rucci, and Christian Louboutin shoes. Dale Mathias is wearing a blouse by Pauw Amsterdam. Capricia Marshall wears an Oscar de la Renta dress. Dorothy McAuliffe has on a David Meister dress from American in Paris, Alexandria, Virginia.

In anticipation of May 10, we asked some remarkable moms about motherhood, their special day, and how to keep sane while juggling kids along. Anne Morrow Lindbergh once said, “Mothers are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class.” We wish all Washington-area mothers a mini vacation on Mother’s Day—or, at the very least, a well-deserved girls’ night out.

Susanna Quinn
Quinn is a Washington, DC, native and lives with her husband, Jack, and nine-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, in Wesley Heights. She has worked on Capitol Hill in real estate and in journalism, and she’s currently writing her first novel. The Quinns are frequent hosts of Democratic fundraisers and enjoy family ski vacations.

My favorite Mother’s Day came during my senior year in college. I drove home to have lunch with my mom and my grandmother. My mother had already outlived her cancer prognosis by a year, and every moment was a gift. We spent the afternoon planning my graduation and discussing my plans; she was full of excitement and encouragement. She passed away a few weeks later, so it truly was a miraculous Mother’s Day.

How do I keep my sanity? Two words: Jack Quinn! I was a single mom for almost six years, and my husband’s never-ending patience, encouragement, and sense of humor keep me balanced and laughing, even on the craziest days.

Capricia Marshall
Marshall began her career in Washington as assistant to then- First Lady Hillary Clinton and catapulted to deputy assistant to the president and social secretary of the White House. Capricia rejoined Senator Clinton in 2006 to assist with her Senate reelection and bid for president. She currently manages efforts to wind down former Senator Clinton’s political committees. Marshall lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Dr. Robert Marshall, a cardiologist, and their nine-year-old son, Robert Cole.

My very first Mother’s Day came during my last year in the Clinton White House. The day was packed with events and meetings, and I returned home exhausted. What greeted me remains among my proudest and happiest moments. Four-month-old Cole and Daddy were waiting with big smiles, surprise gifts, and a photo of Cole that I still cherish.

I credit my own phenomenal mother and my extraordinary husband for helping me stay sane. My mom moved in with us when I was eight months pregnant and stayed for two years. She created a schedule for Cole and had him sleeping through the night almost immediately! And Rob, my husband, still finds time for homework and basketball, and is the best, most loving and forgiving husband a wife could ever imagine.

Dale Mathias
Mathias is the cofounder of GlobeVest LLC, an emerging-market private equity fund. She was an associate dean of Columbia Business School and has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. Mathias lives in Georgetown with her husband, Ed Mathias, and enjoys spending time with children Jed Lenzner, 20, and Ellen Mathias, 18.

On Mother’s Day I hope to be with the important people in my life and mix in some quiet things: a slow, relaxing swim; reading my favorite Sunday magazine; eating sashimi; and maybe even having a 30 Rock fest.

Motherhood rivets your attention. Nothing focuses the mind better than kids. For some reason, when I think of motherhood, I think of the silly memories I have with my kids. It really is joy in its most concentrated form, mixed with a bit of everything else. I would never have guessed that ahead of time.

Dorothy McAuliffe
McAuliffe serves on the National Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Institution as a representative from the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is a member of the executive committee of Knock-Out Abuse Against Women, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization. She is a graduate of the Catholic University of America and Georgetown University Law Center. She resides in McLean, Virginia, with her husband, Terry, and her five children: Dori, Jack, Mary, Sally, and Peter, ranging in age from six to 17.

Every Mother’s Day for the past 17 years has been an absolute joy. I’m very thankful for an opportunity to find a brief pause in our hectic schedules to reflect and be grateful for our five healthy and happy children and the wonder of watching them grow.

A good sense of humor is key to motherhood, as is relinquishing the need to strive for perfection. I’m the first to admit that some things inevitably slip through the cracks. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful network of moms to share carpool duties and playdates; give and receive advice on all topics under the sun; and join in laughter—and an occasional girls’ night out (crucial).

	Sheila Casey (left)is wearing a top from Talbots, Ann Taylor pants, a Baccarat necklace, bracelets from Bergdorf Goodman, and shoes from Nordstrom. Beth Wilkinson (right) wears triple Cartier rings on her right hand, a locket with a picture of each of her children, and beige patent leather shoes by Manolo Blahnik.

Sheila Casey
Casey has been married to General George Casey, chief of staff of the US Army, for over 38 years. She is the COO of The Hill newspaper. The Caseys have two sons, Sean and Ryan, and five grandchildren: Jackson, nine; Conor, Reilly, and Declan, all seven; and Lakin, six.

My most memorable Mother’s Day came when my boys were toddlers. My husband had been in Sardinia, and when he returned and asked about lunch, I replied, “Today’s my lazy day.” He asked me what I meant, and I said, “Every mother is lazy on Mother’s Day.” He quickly gathered up the boys and headed for the kitchen. Hours later they re-emerged with a chocolate cake in an angelfood pan. They used candles to form an “M” on either side of the hole in the pan to read MOM. Talk about a quick recovery!

Motherhood changes you in profound ways. You are sleep-deprived and pulled in different directions, not sure if you are doing enough or doing it correctly. But nothing is more rewarding than watching your kids grow, learn, and become good, contributing members of society. I am more proud of my children than anything else I have ever done.

Beth Wilkinson
Wilkinson is a trial lawyer and a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. She graduated from Princeton University and the University of Virginia Law School, worked as an Army captain, and prosecuted the Oklahmona City bombers. She and her husband, David Gregory of NBC’s Meet the Press, are proud parents of Max, six; Ava, three; and Jed, also three.

Marriage changes very little, but motherhood changes everything. Now I look at everything through the lens of motherhood. Whether it’s what time I leave the office, what I do on weekends, or how I conduct myself in social situations, I always think about how it impacts my children.

I’m not sure I can always claim sanity. When things are going well I attribute it to a great husband who shares in all of the child-rearing and a willingness to admit I need work and family to feel fulfilled. I also have a wonderful group of friends who help me keep perspective.

This year, with David working on Sunday mornings, we have no special Mother’s Day plans, but we’ll probably spend the afternoon at Horace Mann Park with the kids and have an early family dinner at Bambu.

	Norah O’Donnell is wearing a David Meister dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, and jewelry from Shah & Shah Jewelers in Washington, DC. Allison Abner dons a vintage Joan Vass angora tank, pants by Marni, belt by Comme des Garçons, peep-toe wedges by Robert Clergerie from Relish, and jewelry (gold tassle earrings, vintage bangles, gold stack rings with cameo) by Julie Wolfe.

Norah O’Donnell
O’Donnell is MSNBC’s chief Washington correspondent and a contributor to Today. She has three children with her husband, chef Geoff Tracy. Their twins, Henry and Grace, will turn two in May, and Riley is 10 months old.

Motherhood has made me a better friend and wife. I’ve really enjoyed the camaraderie with moms from the kids’ schools. And I love my husband more every day when I see him with our kids (especially when he changes diapers).

Moms multitask and, as a result, get more done than we ever thought possible. It’s a challenge balancing my busy work schedule and three kids under the age of two. But every day when I put my head down on my pillow, I think, What a life! I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

My Mother’s Day plans will (hopefully) involve fresh pancakes! On special days my husband, Geoff, will get up early and make the best blueberry pancakes in the world!

Allison Abner
A recent transplant to the area, Abner is married to Gene Sperling, special counselor to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Abner and Sperling have two children: Miles, 14, and Nina, three. Abner is a writer and producer whose credits include The West Wing and Without a Trace. She is currently developing screenplays and TV pilots.

My perfect Mother’s Day comes in four acts:
1. Call my mom and laugh ourselves to tears about the time we went to China and giggled so hard an entire town came outside to stare at us.
2. Have my son attempt to explain string theory to me—for the hundredth time. His passion is the greatest gift, but quantum physics is so complicated, it’s like my brain does sit-ups while I listen.
3. Take a two-hour nap with my daughter.
4. Slow dance with my husband to any of these songs: “As” by Stevie Wonder; “Nearness of You” by Michael Brecker and James Taylor; or “Breathless” by Corinne Bailey Rae.

Overall, motherhood sharpens the great tools of humanity: compassion, respect, responsibility, and—thank God—play.