2013 marked forty years since Jeanne Manford, mother of a gay son, marched in a NYC Gay Pride Parade and carried a sign urging parents to support their gay and lesbian children. Thus did PFLAG begin in a United Methodist Church in Greenwich Village. Ms. Manford, who died in January at the age of 93 was honored posthumously with a Citizen’s Award at the White House in February. Jean Hodges was thrilled to be invited with National staff to attend the ceremony in the East Room where President Obama spoke eloquently about each recipient who received this highest civilian award for individual achievement.