OKEMOS - Debbie Stabenow’s mother, Ann Greer, proudly smiled as the U.S. senator signed books and took snapshots with her constituents Monday.

“She has always had this drive to continue to help others and be a role model for women,” Greer said. “She has always been a very special person to me and now she is to a lot of other people.”

Stabenow, D-Lansing, one of the United States’ 13 female senators, met with about 250 people at Schuler Books, 2075 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos, to share her experiences and promote the new paperback edition of “Nine and Counting: The Women of the Senate.”

The edition, written by Catherine Whitney, includes an afterward, “