Mom to Jayden age 7,
Zahra, age 5 and Eli, age 4
Alexandria, VA
Sonia MD Akpa
Nominated by Charles Akpa
Sonia is a humanitarian and
mother of three children. She’s
always volunteering to help in the
community, whether it be to run a
race for a cause or to fix lunch for the
homeless. She recently helped an
organization renovate a playground
in a low-income neighborhood in
Alexandria,VA. She is also working to
start an organization of young adults
willing to help in the community. She
shares her passion with her kids, and
motivated her oldest son to run with
the Marines in order to help his school
get a grant. She always says, “In order
to live at your fullest, you’ve got to
pour the love and strength inside of
you into your family, your community
and your country.”
What’s the best parenting advice
you’ve ever received?
Learn how to be organized so that
you will enjoy being a great mother.

What advice would you give to new or
expectant mothers?
You are not perfect; keep doing your
best. Don't worry. With good intentions
at heart you will still be a great mom!
How has motherhood changed your
outlook on life?
I became less selfish with great
senses of discernment and observation.

Describe a favorite mom moment.

When my children asked, “Mommy,
how did I get here?” while we were
looking at their baby pictures. I told
them their father and I prayed to have
children and while I was sleeping God
put them in my stomach.

Who is your role model?
Mother Teresa.

22 May 2016 washingtonFAMILY.com
In order to live at your fullest,
you’ve got to pour the love and strength
inside of you into your family, your
community and your country.

What goals do you
have for yourself?
Enjoy life. Be
happy. Make my
family happy and
leave a positive
impact on the
world. What goals do
you have for your
children? Encourage and
love them to the
fullest so they can
become great
leaders of tomorrow and positively
impact the world. We need more
volunteers and
more leaders to
make this world
a better place,
starting in our
families. What are some
of your greatest
accomplishments? Some of
my greatest
accomplishments were made on an
emotional level. I
managed to rebuild
my self-esteem. I started to encourage
myself more and to be at peace after
many mistakes I regretted for years.