For Phoenix resident Karina Hernandez, Mother’s Day is more than a celebration — it’s a tribute to the woman who shaped her into the person she is today.

As a community health educator for Advance Community, Karina dedicates her life to helping others, a value instilled in her by her mother, Yolanda Hernandez Gutierrez.

Yolanda dedicated more than 20 years of her life to working for the Roosevelt School District while raising her four daughters in the South Ranch neighborhood. She arrived in the United States without knowing English or having family nearby.

Yet, through perseverance, hard work and an unshakable commitment to her children, she created a home-life filled with love and the encouragement to dream big.

Karina describes their relationship as one built on open communication, a foundation that has allowed them to navigate life’s ups and downs together.

“I have always been able to communicate openly with my mom. No matter what, she has always been there to listen and guide me," she said.

Yolanda’s journey into motherhood was filled with determination.

“I knew I had to learn how to be a good mother and teach my daughters everything my parents taught me — how to work hard, cook and navigate through life,” she recalls.

That lesson of perseverance is one Karina has carried with her.

Yolanda describes her daughter as responsible, caring and kind.

“She never gave up, even when things were tough," Yolanda said. "She fought until she achieved what she wanted — a college degree and a career.”

The sacrifices Yolanda made for her family have never gone unnoticed.

“My mom is one of the hardest-working people I know,” Karina says. “She and my dad worked tirelessly to give me and my sisters the best life possible. She left her home, her family and everything she knew to build something better for us. That strength is something I deeply admire.”

The Hernandez-Gutierrez household holds Mother’s Day close to their hearts, with an added layer of significance — Karina was born on May 11, 1997, the day after the Mexican holiday Dia de las Madres  and on the Sunday of American Mother’s Day that year.

Since then, the weekend has become a special family tradition, celebrating both Karina’s birthday and the matriarch of the household. Whether through a cookout, a special breakfast or dinner at their favorite restaurant, the weekend is always filled with love and gratitude.

One of Karina’s most cherished traditions is the family dinner her mother insists on having almost every night. “It’s a forever blessing,” she says. “No matter how busy we are, we always sit together, eat and share our day. That time together is something I will always treasure.”

When asked what she would say to her mother this Mother’s Day, Karina’s words reflect the deep gratitude she holds for her mother.

“I thank God, for choosing the perfect mom for me and for showing me how to live, love and become who I am," Karina said.

For Yolanda, the sentiment is simple but profound.

“Thank you for being a good daughter, my daughter," she said.

Through life’s challenges and sacrifices,  triumphs and successes, their bond remains unbreakable — a testament to the power of a mother’s love.