<p><a href="https://esme.com/voices/perspectives/whats-a-solo-mom" target="_blank" class="wordlink">Solo Mom</a> Maria Shriver has her fingers in many pies. A journalist, activist, author, and former First Lady of California, Shriver is known for her work with Alzheimer’s disease. After her father was diagnosed with the disease in 2003, she wrote the children’s book <em>What’s Happening to Grandpa?</em> (2004, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers). That led to her executive producing 2009’s <em>The Alzheimer’s Project</em>, a four-part Emmy Award–winning documentary series about the disease; and, a few years later, in 2015, she founded<a href="http://thewomensalzheimersmovement.org/"> The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement</a>, “a global alliance . . . committed to finding out why Alzheimer’s discriminates against women.”</p><p>And she isn’t slowing down. In March 2017, after being honored with the <a href="https://www.alz.org/forum/highlight-tuesday-pm.asp">Alzheimer’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award</a>, she said, “Fourteen years after coming face to face with Alzheimer’s in my own family, I feel like I’m just getting started. I’m energized, I’m committed, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to wipe out this mind-blowing disease.”</p><p>Shriver is also a champion of Solo Moms. She is reticent about her own <a href="https://esme.com/resources/c/divorce" target="_blank" class="wordlink">divorce</a>: in 2011, she asked for privacy for herself and her four children with ex-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger, stating, “As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect, and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment.” But she has channeled her efforts into making the public aware of challenges faced by single moms who persevere despite a stunning lack of resources. She served as executive producer on the 2014 documentary film <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrKMUzDxxWs"> <em>Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life and Times of Katrina Gilbert</em></a>, which chronicles the efforts of one Solo Mom of three.</p><p>Through it all, Shriver has maintained an attitude of optimism and perseverance. Her most recent book, <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/562845/ive-been-thinking----by-maria-shriver/?ref=PRH5FF78F4A32&aid=randohouseinc49398-20&linkid=PRH5FF78F4A32"> <em>I’ve Been Thinking . . . Reflections, Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life</em></a> (2018, Penguin Random House), “tackles motherhood, faith, acceptance, and more in her search for how we can all live a more meaningful life,” according to a review on POPSUGAR. And, as she once wrote in her weekly online newsletter,<a href="http://mariashriver.com/sundaypaper/"> The Sunday Paper</a>: “I know that being grateful, being part of a community, giving back as much as you can, it all helps push us in the right direction.”</p><hr>