Mother Heroine

Mother Heroine () 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 Heroine 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. The award was created simultaneously with the Order of Maternal Glory (Russian: Орден "Материнская слава") and the Maternity Medal (Russian: Медаль материнства), intended for women with five to nine children.

Mother Heroines 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 Petrovich Makarov () from Orenburg, who raised 12 adopted boys.Ogonyok, no. 48, 25 Nov 1996

Post-Soviet republics

Following the dissolution of the......
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