Mother Hero

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Mother Hero (Мать-героиня) was an honorary title in the Soviet Union awarded from 8 July 1944 to all mothers bearing and raising 10 or more children. The title was accompanied by the bestowal of the Mother Hero Order and a certificate conferred by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. It was awarded upon the first birthday of the last child, provided that nine other children (natural or adopted) remained alive. Children who had perished under heroic, military or other respectful circumstances, including occupational diseases, were also counted.

Mother Heroes were entitled to wear a badge, which was a gold star with silver straight rays between the arms; it was suspended on a metal, red-enameled "ribbon" bearing the words "Мать-героиня". They were also entitled to a number of privileges in terms of retirement pension, the payment of public utility charges, and the supply of food and other goods.

Around 430,000 women were awarded this title during its existence. The only man to be awarded the title was Veniamin Makarov (Макаров, Вениамин Петрович) from Orenburg, who raised 12 adopted boys.^[1]

[edit] Post-Soviet republics

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union the award was withdrawn in most post-Soviet republics.

In the Russian Federation it was discontinued in 1991. As of 2004, a number of requests had been directed to the President of Russia for the restoration of all maternity awards.
In Tajikistan it was withdrawn in 1996, to discourage large families.
In Ukraine it was cancelled upon independence but restored in 2004.
In Kazakhstan, mothers of 10 or more children have since 1995 been awarded the Altyn Alka (Алтын алка, "Golden pendant") and mothers of eight or nine children have received the Kumis Alka (Кумiс алка, "Silver pendant").