The True Lessons Behind Child Watch Coda That Can Truly Help You

The inaugural logo of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) originated from a drawing that caught my eye in a gallery window during a stroll through Cambridge, Massachusetts, the birthplace of CDF. Created by five-year-old Maria Coté, the artwork depicts a vibrant sun illuminating a small boat adrift on an expansive sea. Above the boat, Maria inscribed the ancient fisherman’s prayer: “Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.”In 1974, after CDF's first report was completed, I sought Maria's mother’s permission to feature the drawing on the cover. A few years later, upon the suggestion of a logo, I reconsidered Maria's artwork, realizing it embodied CDF’s mission with authenticity unmatched by any abstract design we had explored. Maria's mother consented to trademark her daughter’s creation.As I conclude the Child Watch series today, the mission remains paramount: defending every child’s right to a healthy, fair, and safe start in life. We must continue strengthening our resolve to ensure no child is left behind.