When a Portland, Oregon, mom of four learned that a contractor had exposed her children to poisonous lead dust by using unsafe paint-removal methods in 2005, she vowed not to let that happen to any other kids. Six years later, Tamara Rubin’s tireless work has helped preserve the health of millions of kids—and earned her the title of 2011 Mom on a Mission winner, a national search for mothers who make a difference by Healthy Child Healthy World, a nonprofit working to protect kids from harmful chemicals. Rubin joined forces with national lead poisoning prevention agencies by sharing her story to educate the public, and in 2010, the new EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule took effect, requiring contractors working on pre-1978 homes to be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices. Learn how to keep your family safe from lead dust at leadsafeamerica.org.

Want to help pick this year’s Mom on a Mission? Healthy Child Healthy World will be choosing eight moms from now through August—then in the fall, you can vote for your top choice. Here are the finalists so far:

Andrea Pett-Joseph, from Los Angeles, California  Read about her family and the non-profit she dedicates her time to.

Martha Sanchez, from Los Angeles, California Discover what she’s doing to make a difference in her community.

Angie Nordstrum, from Erie, Colorado. Find out she’s working to help keep kids safe.

Click here to nominate moms you know, find out about past winners, and learn more.

KIWI is a sponsor of Healthy Child Healthy World’s Mom on a Mission. 

Reprinted from KIWI Magazine