This story is part of a bi-weekly series that celebrates people who are reaching across a divide to "build bridges" with those different from themselves. The Get Marty: Community Bridges series is made possible with the support of UPMC.
Heather Starr-Fiedler would tell you that, as a mother, she just trying to raise her sons Matthew and Ben to be the best people they can be. “I don’t think I’m a better parent than anyone else,” said Fiedler. But by her smile you can see she’s clearly so proud of her boys, who she admits, couldn’t be more different.
Fiedler is humble about what she does. But the national American Mothers organization thinks she’s a standout. It’s why they named her the Mother of The Year for Pennsylvania 2021. And when you hear more about her story, we think you’ll agree.
Dr. Fiedler, who lives with her family in Indiana Township, teaches multi-media at Point Park University. She also leads the University’s Department of Community Engagement, which matches students with non-profits that need media and marketing advice. She supervises the school’s food pantry, and is the co-founder of Play It Forward Pittsburgh, a non-profit that collects gently used toys and distributes them to families during the holidays.
What’s so unique about Dr. Fiedler’s story is how she has woven the way she raises her own sons with the work that she does with her students and volunteers who serve kids and young people in lots of different communities.
“My children were always involved in Play It Forward from selecting their own toys that they would donate to working on our free shopping day,” explained Fiedler. “One of my favorite stories was one of my sons gave scooter he had grown out of. The day of the shopping the little boy who chose the scooter was there. And my son taught the little boy how to use it. That all came full circle at that moment.”
Fiedler feels just as strongly about making sure her students and other Point Park staff members have the same chance to give, receive, and support each other. It’s why she supervises Point Park’s student food pantry and champions the community engagement work. “When students reflect on their work, they’re impacted about learning about community issues and help in some small way. Faculty sees their students as their kids. We’re mentors and helping them to grow and realize who they’re going to be.”
Fiedler will represent Pennsylvania at the American Mothers national convention in May. One honoree will be selected as 2021 National Mother of the Year. Fiedler is looking forward to networking with other women who are also making a difference in their families and communities.
She’ll lobby lawmakers, promote the Play It Forward model, and also talk about the importance of small food pantries and larger networks like the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (which supports the Point Park pantry) in addressing food insecurity. “It’s more important now than ever,” said Fiedler.
The Get Marty: Community Bridges project is produced with the generous support of UPMC. Life Changing Medicine.
