Mothers undeniably impact and shape history -- but their stories are often left out or misrepresented, says sociologist and author Anna Malaika Tubbs. This erasure limits policies to support mothers and their essential roles in society. Citing the remarkable lives of Alberta King, Louise Little and Berdis Baldwin (the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin, respectively), Tubbs emphasizes the need to shift the perspective on motherhood at a cultural level -- to better reflect the presence, power and influence of moms as our first leaders, caretakers and teachers. "Would the world be different today if we had been telling their stories all along?" she asks.

Anna Malaika Tubbs: How moms shape the world

How moms shape the world

Alberta King's erasure from MLK Jr.'s narrative reflects a broader trend of overlooking mothers' roles and contributions.

The stories of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin reveal how society's neglect impacts mothers and their legacies.

Highlighting mothers' pivotal roles, urging cultural shifts to value their contributions in shaping societal and familial foundations.