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What is the sound of mothers Arising?
This Mother’s Day, MAU Mavens across the country will be strapping on stilts, baking pies for elected leaders, hawking fair trade roses and singing in the streets! Reclaiming Mother’s Day events - now in their sixth season - celebrate Julia Ward Howe’s 1870 Mother’s Day Proclamation. This year, MAU invites YOU to celebrate her call to Arise by gathering your family and community together through cakewalks, letters to the editor, Standing Women events, mama’s open-mic nights, or . . . the sky and your imagination is the limit! When mothers* publicly express our commitment to children, our communities, media and government sit up and take notice. Let’s sing it out in the streets, “We will protect our children with our personal & political strength - wherever they live on earth.”
Thanks to MAU Mavens and partner organizations, MAU is excited to present the very 1st ever “Top 10 Ways to Reclaim Mother’s Day“:
1. Holy Symbolism! Step outside your comfort zone, and get up on stilts. Parade, prance and promenade with a loyal spotter by your side. When we lift our voices AND our bodies together on behalf of the world’s children, we become a GIGANTIC force to be reckoned with.
2. Dare to be a Joy Warrior! Deliver pies to your local members of Congress as part of the Department of Peace’s 4th Annual Mother’s Day National Action: Peace Wants a Piece of the Pie Campaign.
3. Posies with a purpose: Ask for or send fair trade flowers through Transfair/USA. Fair trade benefits every person along the path, from seed in the ground to blossom in the vase.
4. Review Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers Report (2008 report availably May 6). Learn simple solutions to stop the deaths of nearly 10 million children a year; educate your community with a letter to the editor on this topic.
5. Part your purse strings, because giving matters. Donate to MAU, inspiring and mobilizing mothers* to advocate on behalf of the world’s children. Your donation, in honor of a mother or other, allows MAU to reach out to a million mamas with templates, tools and recipes for actions that prioritize the lives of our children.
6. Press the candidates for Prez to take action for the world’s children. Take a photo of your family at brunch this Mother’s Day and send to the presidential candidates, letting them know you are a Mother Acting Up who wants Global Action for Children.
7. There is an elegant beauty to simplicity. Stand with Standing Women at 1 pm (your local time) on May 11 in support of a better world for our children.
8. Host a 1Sky climate change event, make a banner calling for serious climate action and then upload pictures and drawings of your children and families alongside the banner as part of a national call to action to Congress.
9. Join with CodePink mamas at the Mother’s Day Picnic for Peace in Washington, DC’s Dupont Circle, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, or gather at Merchant’s Gate at Columbus Circle in Manhattan for the 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Peace Stroll.
10. Find a MAU Mother’s Day Reclamation event near you, and revel in it, mama! Gather round, hand out Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation, eat cake, birth strategic plans to act locally and think globally. Together, we can change the world.
Most important, report word of your reclamation activities to MAU Central!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Mothers Acting Up co-founder and communications director Juliana Forbes is on Central Ohio Public Radio THIS MORNING,
Friday April 18, 11AM-noon EST/ 9-10 AM MT, with host Fred Andrle on Open Line.
Tune in online as above or below!!
You can even call in to make a comment or ask a question!
Call Open Line at 614-292-8513 or write to Open Line at openline@wosu.org
The topic to be discussed: We’ll hear how mothers can advocate for the future of children worldwide, with Mothers Acting Up Communications Director Juliana Forbes.
Open Line is a live, public affairs talk show, with listener phone calls, on WOSU public radio.
Open Line is streamed live and archived for two weeks at www.wosu.org/radio/radio-open-line
Bizarrely, this reminds me of Mothers Acting Up co-founder Beth Osnes’ show, (M)other.
Many of you may receive Mothering Magazine’s weekly email and activism alerts and therefore may have read the following.
But in the event you missed it, please think about letting NBC know this is a bad idea.
Tell NBC to Stop The Baby Borrowers
Presented as a “unique social experiment” the reality TV show “The Baby Borrowers” places real infants in the care of unrelated teen couples to “test” their ability to withstand the demands of parenthood and their relationship’s strength to survive the pressure.
The show originated as a BBC production. This fall, NBC is rolling out its own version for a US audience. It films couples between the ages of 16 and 19 attempting to care for infants, toddlers, children, and eventually teenagers. Local authorities, concerned about the physical and emotional risk to the children, called on the BBC to cancel the show. Their requests were ignored, and social workers hoping to oversee the filming were turned away. Despite the protests in the UK, NBC seems equally determined to roll out their production of the show, describing it as an opportunity for the couples to “…peer into the future and see what they (and their partners) might be like if they remain together and decide to build a family.”
The Natural Child Project is voicing its concerns to NBC and calling on producers to entertain people without jeopardizing anyone’s mental health and happiness. Read the Open Letter to NBC by Jan Hunt, Director of The Natural Child Project. Send your letter of concern to:
Mr. Jeffrey Zucker
President
NBC Entertainment
3000 W. Alameda Avenue
Burbank, CA 91523
The following is the first of a series of essays which discuss the 5 founding principles of Mothers Acting Up, a national non-profit organization which exists to inspire and mobilize mothers to advocate on behalf of the world’s children.
Cross posted from the Mothers Acting Up blog.
From all over the country, people are taking the MAU Pledge to bring the security of the world’s children into the forefront of all discussions – from conversations with family and friends, to our wider communities and certainly with candidates and elected officials.
How to do this effectively? To answer that, let’s begin at the very beginning, with the first of the 5 MAU Principles:
Be exuberant: Since we’re ACTING UP for the rest of our lives, our activism has to be joyful. No one wants to rally around anger; studies show that negative advertising causes women to politically disengage. This movement is about the JOY of standing up for what you believe & publicly declaring your priorities. Let’s gather in the streets, not with bullhorns, but singing.
With its roots in the lavish abundance of growing and being fruitful, the quality of exuberance smacks with the juicy goodness of mother nurture, Mother Nature and Mothers Acting Up.
As of this writing, we at MAU Central are nodding our heads in collective understanding as to precisely why one presidential nomination candidate’s message of hope and of change has engaged, inspired and ignited citizens across lines of gender, race, class and socioeconomics. While we do not organizationally endorse any candidate, we know from our studies that research shows proof positive that women as a whole, and mothers in particular, disengage when activism and campaigning turns nasty – not just in the presidential race to the nomination, but in life itself! It seems no wonder then, that a swell of support favors positive messaging, declaring that we are not to be saved by any one elected leader alone, but that yes, WE can make the difference all together. Yes, WE can be scrappy and strong and sassy and also sublime when we collectively hold corporate and government leaders accountable for policies that uphold values and services and for the great human family rather than a few select someones. We the mamas, say YES.
Exuberance in practical application means saying, for instance: “Thank you, Delta, for revising your policies in support of breastfeeding families,” instead of, “Hey, Frontier, you messed up and breastfeeding moms are angry!” or by saying “Children Deserve a Bigger Piece of the Pie” instead of “Bush Hates Kids.” But this is not about being sunny for sunny’s sake. This is about focusing on WHAT WE WANT rather than looking back at what we reject. It’s moving towards, rather than against.
While perhaps Pollyanna in part, this primary MAU principle is neither easy nor simple. Sustaining exuberance is a tough row to hoe, a perennial crop whose nutritive value staves off depression, indifference and offers a real life solution to overwhelm and fear. Kind of like mother’s milk for the great human family itself, exuberance promotes real security.
Go forth and be exuberant mamas. Live in liberation of what others’ think of your choices. Model this joyful abundance because it feels good, because your kids will enjoy it far more than staying holed up in fear and loathing, and because you’re likely to inspire others to sing along while plucking up the fruits of your labor.
Try sowing seeds of exuberance by sharing this essay with two friends and asking them to declare themselves Mothers Acting Up. Try bolstering your own activism by writing YES on a mirror with lipstick so you see it each day; the affirmation a reminder of your call to duty and your sheer brilliance in carrying out your mission.
Holler at me with your comments, questions and desire to act up!
From the excellently resourceful Mothers Acting Up website:
We realize that we live in a world that does not prioritize or protect our children’s well-being and that this will not change without each of us finding the courage and commitment to speak out on their behalf . . . Our local, state/regional and federal lawmakers spend our tax dollars and represent our concerns; isn’t that handy? The crucial ingredient in making this relationship work is to ensure our elected leaders HEAR our concerns. MAU focuses on building relationship with federal leaders (a.k.a. Members of Congress or MOCs). In the US, we each have a representative in the House of Representative (435 total) and two senators (100 total) in the Senate. They work for us. So whistle the old song, “Getting to know you†and begin to create a relationship with your elected leaders. You may need to throw your weight around a bit, build up your Mama Grizzly strength – a couple of practice growls a day.As with all important, long-term relationships, working with decision makers entails respect and a series of contacts:
- Introduce yourself: send a handwritten card or letter (evidence of a REAL person who has the wherewithal to find stamps) beginning with who you are and your personal reason for writing; followed by a direct request; and concluding with, “Thank you for your leadership. I request the honor of a reply.†Remember to declare you are part of a global movement of mothers (makes everyone sit up straighter.) IMPORTANT: If you write as part of an online email campaign, ALWAYS add something personal to the beginning of the auto-letter; “As a mother acting up, I request…†or “As a mother of our future leaders.†Faxing is good. A faxed handwritten letter is great.
- Call and reintroduce yourself as a MAU. Repeat your request and/or new concerns. Call early and often; deluge can be a good word. Gratitude to those who serve is an important ingredient.
- Plan to stop by. MAU has a recipe for Field Trips to our MOCs. Use it to plan out your visit. The start of summer vacation is a great time to bring a school bus of children from the neighborhood.
“We just visited the office for one of the 100 top leaders in our country,†shared a MAU with her children after a Field Trip to the MOCs.
Contact information for US citizens (all global citizens might want to make contact, given the global impact of the US Government):
The White House (202) 456-1414 – Ask for the comment line and leave short messages with the White House Operators (some of the nicest humans on earth.)
Capitol Switchboard (to call your US legislators): (202) 224-3121 or visit their Websites: US Senators=www.senate.gov, US Congress members=www.house.gov.
Check out the Office of Management and Budget (www.omb.gov) to read the US budget, and Department of Defense Contracts page (http:/www.defenselink.mil/contracts/index.aspx) for keeping abreast of what your tax dollars are funding. Be sure to be sitting down.
Children’s wellbeing is at the top of every mother’s agenda. It’s time to bring it to the top of our political agendas. Make it so mamas.
It’s time to shop, reflect, give thanks, eat! During the upcoming feasting and holiday celebrations, may we celebrate in particular the individuals who are changing the world’s story with the strength of their commitment; a story in which currently every other child lives in poverty, almost half of all war casualties are children, and global warming threatens every child’s future.
Let’s take time to honor mothers like the late Dame Anita Roddick who said, “I want to connect with people who share my outrage…But I also want to tell — and hear…stories that lift our spirits, that celebrate how glorious our planet is. Outrage and celebration — let’s run this gamut together.”
Inspired leaders like Greg Mortenson who says, “When I look into the eyes of the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan, I see the eyes of my own children full of wonder. I hope that we each do our part to leave them a legacy of peace.”
Mamas and community builders like Tiffany Bellah, who says, “Having a baby changes everything. Since that wonder-filled day 6 years ago when Grace entered this world, I have been reaching out of my comfort zone. She has made of me a responsible revolutionary, and my role as her mentor and mother has propelled me to take an active part in forming the world she will be inheriting.”
People who, when our common family is threatened, find the courage and strength to change the story. This holiday season, Mothers Acting Up* cheers, stomps, whistles and in every other way honors the individuals around the world who are taking action on behalf of our future generations. YES!!!!
Purchase the 2008 MAU Handbooks for story-changing individuals,
information and actions: www.mothersactingup.org
*mothers and others, on stilts or off, who exercise protective care over someone smaller
As I have shared with many of you previous, I am both humbled and thrilled that my MAU Now: Mobilize the Mamas, the Joy of Activism project was chosen in the top 100 of nearly 6,000 (!) initial proposals for projects on Citizen Engagement (based on a paper called Citizens at the Center)—called the Make It Your Own Awards, through the Case Foundation.
I am now in process of completing my full on grant, due Monday. One of the tools that I and the other 99 folks chosen were granted is a webpage and a widget– the widget does two things: allows each of us to market our idea virally, and to fundraise on TOP of (or instead of) grant money. If you go to the below site, you’ll see the outline of the project (see orange link for more on the project) AND the widget (you can give if you feel so led, OR share the widget on your blog, myspace / facebook / whatever page, or your website.) The widget is a little square that serves as a point of entry for giving or explaining. the technology is new to me, and really cool. You can also see the widget at my personal webpage below, in the righthand sidebar. Click through for more news.
In any case, I share here, in the event any of you feel led to learn more, or to contribute a few (or many!) dollars or by sharing news of the project. Should you like what you read on the website as it develops and as the project evolves out of the work I am already doing, and if my project is chosen in the next top group, I ask you to consider voting for my project to get funded. http://miyo.casefoundation.org/mau-now-mobilizing-mamas
Additionally, I ask that you share news of my project where it seems appropriate.
Yours for the JOYful revolution, mamas! Your support of this project does good for ALL of us, and the world’s children.
XX
paige AKA Ms. Booty Homemaker
Cross posted from Ms. Booty Homemaker Explains It All To You.
Last week I went into the studio with Nashville’s own Liberadio(!) hosts, Mary Mancini and Freddie O’Connell. They made it so fun, and pretty easy to talk the talk…. Check it out here, and tune in Monday mornings on WRVU or for syndicated airings on AM Fridays and Saturdays. It won’t be long before this dynamic duo goes national. Really. They’re smart, funny as hell, and in general just well informed and interesting as well as interested.
Cross-posted from Ms. Booty Homemaker Explains It All To You.
Ever in an effort to simplify, go greener by reduction of my family’s carbon footprint, and live in a way that jives with ideals and principles, I’ve recently made a commitment to shy from conventionally raised meats in favor of locally humanely and free range / grass fed animals. We women of this country, as the buyers of most things our households require, exercise the greatest purchasing power of all: 83% of all spending in the US, according to Time Magazine. And because right is right to do and because it really does matter where we put our money, as we are an economical force ripe and ready to create change that does ALL of us good, I’m doing what I can, when I can, both for the nutritive and ethical health of my family and for the good of my community, and my planet. Lofty? Yeah. Elitist? I hope not.
I’ve gone round and round about this from multiple standpoints, and while my Mister still regularly purchases chicken livers from the Kroger deli in throwaway plastic clamshell packaging, I feel it’s important and worthwhile to continue to do our part as a whole. We’ve had a CSA membership with Delvin Farms for several years now, and now, along with some mama friends, I’ve sought out local humane sources for the meat that our family continues to choose to eat. Vegetarian for a number of years, I’ve found that I just do better with meat, and feel strong and best about it when the source is right. To that end, this week has had a gaggle of us running from one end of town to the other with a host of coolers and drop off and pick up points for whole processed chickens from a Centreville family, and both beef and lamb from a Mennonite farmer just over the Kentucky line.
All of this took a great deal of coordination and phone calls and emails and such, as this is the beginning of something we hope will sustain our community farmers, AND our families for some time to come. One morning as Maria and I hammered out some details by telephone, Ziggy and another child I’ve been watching occasionally played on the swingset and in our backyard sandbox. “You know,” said Maria, “sometimes we might complain about how much all this effort is taking and I have to call so and so again, but think of the community we’re building around this!”
Right she is. We’re also compelled, in these interactions, to rely on one another, to share our lives and to become less isolated. For me, a highly social being with a not so social husband who is gone from home seven days a week, this is critical. As it is for our very social toddler. The Mister, by his own admission, benefits from this network of community though he himself is not drawn toward growing it or maintaining it in large part. I have to say, however, that he is appreciative and involved when called on, as we have all relied heavily on one another in times of distress (illness, hospitalizations, marital strife, work loads…) AND in times of celebration (weddings, births, housewarmings and birthday parties). Too, during these get togethers (in person, by telephone, and online) based on task, we plan up additional projects, share recipes, pass along toys and clothing from one child to another, support one another’s businesses and organizations and in general create a larger nest for our respective broods.
These friends, these connections, keep me wed to not just my husband (five years right ’round the corner) but also to my *life* in a deep way. Spiritually, ethically, socially, with joy and with gratitude. They keep me accountable and I enjoy that, seeing the rewards reaped for my boy and my man, in addition to my own self. Like I said, I’m social, and I recognize that not everyone shares this need for symbolic hand-holding round the pot of Stone Soup, but for those of us that do, finding our tribe is vital to our wellbeing.
And good food– sown, grown, harvested and then prepared with some local lavish love– binds us all together. Of late, that meant fresh salsas and simply *amazing* vegetable enchiladas for our Fall Fiesta, a combination housewarming and second birthday party for our boy. There’ve been salads and farm fresh egg sandwiches, and this very morning, butternut pancakes, in response to Ziggy’s request for “Cake, please, Mommy!” in all likelihood a holdover craving from the pumpkin chocolate chip concoction for aforementioned party. And then last night there was this marvelous soup, as sustaining for the spirits as for the nurturing of the bodies of my family.
In thinking of how to best marry a chicken I thawed with a slew of goodies from my most recent CSA share, I was pondering on fall and warmth and came up with a nice variation on sweet potato chicken soup.
Sweet Potato Chicken Soup with Greens
Ingredients:
1 small whole chicken
Olive oil, pat of butter
3-4 ribs celery, chopped
1 carrot, sliced in half moons
2 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red Hungarian pepper, minced
4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
5 small – medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Salt, pepper, cinnamon
1 bunch mustard greens, chopped
Boil chicken in liberally salted water and cool in its own broth. Sautee celery, carrot, onion, peppers, garlic in olive oil w/ a small pat of butter until all are slightly caramelized. Pull cooled chicken (will be warm, but NOT hot) from the broth. Add veggies to the broth pot and boil gently. Salt and pepper soup, add a dash of cinnamon. Pick cooled chicken, discarding skin and fat, save the bones in a freezer zip lock for soup another time. You can cube chicken or leave in rough pieces. Ten to fifteen minutes prior to when you want to eat soup, add your greens (use any dark fall / winter green) to the top of the soup pot and place lid back on, allowing them to steam but retain bright green color.
I would have made this spicier, but declined to do so in favor of the boy’s palate, which enjoys spice but not hothothot. The Mister and I seasoned our bowls of soup with the deliciously tangy green Tobasco sauce.
I imagine you could do this soup with any slightly sweet winter squash in place of the sweet potatoes. You could add a shot of lime and tortilla chips and add cumin to the seasoning. Canned tomatoes and / or green chiles would also be nice here. The variations are endless. In this one, the cinnamon with the spicy pepper and the Tobasco was really nice and very Autumnal.
