Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Nashville Nurse-In Wrap Up.


Here in Nashville we co-created a beautiful and empowering action this morning!!


The babies & children were fantastic and adorable, the dads were supportive and invaluable in their presence, and the mamas rocked the house!! Together we assembled a delightfully warm, peaceful, articulate and personable group – we shone light on a lifestyle, family and health issue in just the right way to illuminate the natural, normal beauty of the nursing relationship in its many facets. I am proud to have been among the folks who participated.


Present were: 9 nursing mamas, 1 grandmother, 3 fathers of nurslings and 12 babies & children. 25 total participants.


We stayed for close to two hours at BNA and our action was covered by the three major networks (no Fox) & an AP reporter & photographer for the Tennessean. Most of us were interviewed AT LEAST once. Dads, too. I was so proud of my son and of my husband. Both were fully engaged and fabulous.

With the exception of perhaps two or three quizzical glances, we nursing families were met with great welcome, kindness and support. Two older women who’d nursed their babies years ago stopped to congratulate us and cheer us onward. One even was interviewed by the news. Another older couple stopped to speak with some mamas; the gentleman worked for Delta and wanted to express his support of us. An airport employee gave stickers to all the kids and an American Airlines flight attendant stopped to tell us that not all in her profession were offended by breastfeeding, that she herself was so glad to see us.

We left feeling good and strong and hopeful.

Link to the story that ran this morning here.

More by and by.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Nurse In TOMORROW at Airport.

Please come join me / us tomorrow!! Your peaceful presence is needed!! With recent passing of legislation in our state and more like items current nation wide, your pro-nursing selves are needed. You do not have to nurse in public. You can choose instead to simply show up and support the rights of nursing pairs. Please wear lactivist / pro BFing wear if possible. Be peaceful! Bring signage to both commend Delta for taking initial right action and to call for further action (see below) and to support BFing in general. Commending Delta is a critical piece of the pie here. They HAVE moved in the right direction; we want to encourage their moving further along the path of protection and advocacy for nursing families everywhere.

Here's the scoop!:

What: National Nurse-In

When: tomorrow, Tues 11/22/06 -- 10 AM local (plan to stay for an hour, as mamas and children often run late... come early if you can)

Where: near / in front of Delta check in and ticketing counter Nashville International Airport

Why: See below.

Please call / write to let me know you'll be participating. I need a head count. Can you bring signage? Can you bring children and friends? Husbands? Partners?

Are you a media person? Do you want me to send you a really nice media kit? Holler at me. This nurse in is NOT affiliated with any particular group, though there may be members of groups present a the nurse in. This in a grassroots volunteer effort.

Quote:


Breastfeeding Rally To Take Place At Airports Nationwide

Nursing mothers and their supporters will be gathering on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 10 AM, local time, at Delta airport counters across the country.

Emily Gillette was flying with her husband and 22 month-old daughter, on
October 13, 2006 out of Burlington, Vermont on a Delta/Freedom Air flight
when a flight attendant asked her to cover up with a blanket. Ms. Gillette
declined and informed the flight attendant of her legal right to nurse her
daughter. The flight attendant then told Ms. Gillette that Ms. Gillette was
offending her and subsequently a gate agent removed the family from the
flight. Ms. Gillette and her family complied. They were rescheduled on a
different flight the following day.

Ms. Gillette has filed a complaint with the Vermont Human Rights Commission regarding the incident. A woman's right to breastfeed wherever she is legally allowed to be is protected in Vermont under the Public Accommodations Act. Although Delta has issued a public apology, the Gillette family has still not received any personal apology.

The goals of this action are:

- Insist that Delta/Freedom both apologize to the Gillette family and
offer written proof that policy and training procedures have been changed.
- Call for all airlines to revisit their breastfeeding and transport of
pumped breastmilk policies to support traveling families.
- Call for immediate passage of pending Federal legislation that offers
civil rights protection for breastfeeding women in the workplace; and new
legislation to protect, on the Federal level, a nursing mother and child's
right to do so whenever and wherever they are legally allowed to be.
- Introduce a new breastfeeding accessibility icon and call on American
businesses to adopt and use it. Participants will be wearing the logo on
t-shirts, stickers and buttons.

The issue of breastfeeding goes far beyond just a woman's right to nurse; it also encompasses a basic human right for children, the right to eat and to receive comfort and nurturing at the breast.

The Nurse-Ins have been coordinated completely by volunteers.





Please contact Paige La Grone Babcock in Nashville for more info.
paigelabab@comcast.net

Friday, November 17, 2006

Tonight!! Salon & Social.

Please share this with friends and family members!! All kinds of families are
welcome!!
===================================================================


I hope to see some of y'all here!!

Need incentive? In addition to door prizes, it'll be my first real outing since
our whole family has been sick all month. You can be among the first to see me
with hair whacked off. AND you can meet my in laws. And see my walking talking
wonder boy in hot pursuit of MAU potluck goodies and crayons (in equal measure).


Tonight: We're writing letters of congratulation and promise to our newly
elected officials, telling them we'll be holding them to the promise of a better
day for all our children and we'll be visiting them in person soon. (Field trips
are in the planning stages.)

All children are asked to come and draw pictures and / or make their own letters
for inclusion.

Please bring to share: crayons, stationary, envelopes, paper, potluck dish,
stamps or change for the pot. Some of all of the above will be provided!!


Nashville Mothers Acting Up BRING THE FAMILY POTLUCK SOCIAL & SALON


Host:
Nashville MAU

Location:
Friends' Meeting House
530 26th Avenue North, Nashville, TN View Map

When:
Friday, November 17, 5:45pm

Series Schedule:
Occurs the third Friday of every 1 month(s).

Final Date of the Series:
Friday, August 17, 2007

This month's Bring The Family Potluck Salon is a post-election /
pre-Thanksgiving gathering.


Please come join in the fun for food, fellowship and education!!!

Bring a dish to share. Some drinks will be provided.

There will be door prizes!

Bring the family!! There will be child wranglers in a beautiful shared space;
all are welcome. Our gatherings are always nursing friendly and open to ALL
kinds of families. Likewise, mamas OR daddies are welcome to come without their
little ones, if that suits you better.


Mothers Acting Up is a mother-fed, mother-led movement of mothers (and others)
passionately and publicly advocating for the world's children.

http://www.mothersactingup.org

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Give Your Values Voice: Vote!!


(Cross posted to / from Mothers Acting Up and Ms. Booty Homemaker Explains It All To You.)

If you haven't yet done so, please exercise your civic responsibility and give your values a voice by voting.

If your traveling sideshow of children and others isn't being hosted or supervised by volunteer mamas, school or another caregiver, consider taking your child(ren) with you to vote.

Yes, the lines may be long, but there's so much to take in, from neighbors you don't see often enough to ingraining the process and the importance of same early on.

Both my Mister and I hit the polls this morning here in East Nashville-- our thirteen month old came along for the experience and I am so glad he did, even though we waited for over an hour to mark our ballots.

One of our most powerful parenting responsibilities is instilling in our children the spirit of acting on values and following one's moral compass. As Mothers (and Others) Acting Up, we're in for the long haul. Leading the next wave onward by example and immersion in community is critical to the growth of the world we want our smallest citizens to inherit and inhabit.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Confirmed for Friday's Social & Salon.


This Friday, October 20 is our second Bring the Family Potluck Social & Salon.

With elections just around the corner, this gathering will focus on candidates & issues. Thus far, congressional candidate Ginny Welsch and senatorial candidate Chris Lugo have confirmed. Someone will be present from Congressman and senatorial hopeful Harold Ford Junior's camp. More additions as they come in.

Also, we will have someone present from the Vote No on 1 campaign, to express how important it is to get out the vote in the name of marriage equality and stopping a constitutional amendment to discriminate and abolish human rights.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Stand for All Families Picnic this evening.

In response to James Dobson and his hate speak and intolerent rhetoric, Stand for All Families will take place this evening at Glendale Baptist from 6-8 PM.

The picnic is still on; they've gotten a big tent to keep the rains out.

Details are here.


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Bring the Family Potluck & Salon: FRIDAY 10/20.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Doctors Without Borders Refugee Camp in Centennial Park.

Tomorrow's Mobilize the Mamas Playgroup meets at Centennial Park Playground, 9:30-11:30 AM. All mothers and others (on stilts and off) who exercise protective care over someone smaller are welcome, with or without children. Expectant parents, same sex parents and empty nesters welcome. Nursing friendly environment. In the event of nasty weather, meet at Borders Books & Music across the street from the Park on West End.

Also in Centennial Park tomorrow is what sounds to be a very moving exhibit, details below from the Middle Tennessee Progressive calendar. Perhaps those gathered in the morning will wander over....

Friday, October 6, 2006

MDs w/o Borders Refugee Camp

July 22 to October 7. the Parthenon (in Centennial Park) is hosting a exhibit titled 'Doctors Without Borders: Photographs from Afghanistan 1984-2004', in the East Gallery. The exhibit documents the work of the relief organization Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF) carried out in Afghanistan before it closed its programs in that country.

During the last weekend of the exhibition, Oct. 4th-8th, aid workers present an A REFUGEE CAMP IN THE HEART OF THE CITY (an outdoor, educational exhibit) in Centennial Park. The exhibit is made up of materials used by MSF in its medical work around the world, including emergency refugee housing, a food distribution tent, water pump, primary health clinic, vaccination tent, nutrition tent, and a cholera treatment center. MSF aid workers guide visitors through the exhibit, which takes examples from MSF's work in conflict areas such as Sudan, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chechnya, while each tour will be informed by the guide's particular field experience.

A closing reception is at the Parthenon Fri., Oct. 6th, 6-8:30pm, and features a talk by Nicolas de Torrent�, Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders, on the organization's past work in Afghanistan and its current work in crises around the world.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Looks like rain....?

If thunderstorms marr this AM's Nashville MAU outdoor playdate, we'll be at Borders Books & Music on West End instead.

Look in the Cafe, or in the Children's section upstairs.

Garage parking is available.

IF, however, the storms and rains blow over, we'll be at Centennial Park Playground, as per usual.

Bring a snack to share, if you are able.

Friday, September 15, 2006

Social & Salon Tonight!!

Our inaugural Bring the Family Social & Salon is tonight from six to eight at the Friends Meeting House. All pertinent details are two posts below.

Come be part of this emerging and exciting local community of mothers (and families) advocating for our children, and children everywhere.

MAU is a movement of mothers* publicly and passionately advocating for the
world’s children.

MAU and Friends Chalk for Peace 9/16.

M  E   D  I  A     A  D  V  I  S  O  R  Y
========================

Nashville MAU and Friends Join One Million Global Citizens & Artists to Create
Peace Themed Sidewalk Chalk Paintings.


Who: Nashville Mothers Acting Up and Friends, Familiars & Families

What: Global Chalk for Peace 2006

When: Saturday, September 16, 2006; 9:30 AM

Where: The sidewalk on 21st Ave; Hillsboro Village -- meet in front of Fido.

Why: Because Chalking for Peace with friends, familiars and families is a simple
non-threatening double positive message & art-full action in which we can all
engage together for the greater good of our families, our communities and this
great big blue-green planet called earth. The goal is for one million young
artists of all ages to create sidewalk chalk paintings around the world at the
same time focusing upon peace as the theme. People ALL OVER THE WORLD will be
Chalking for Peace this weekend at various times, including a big national event
at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, & the Washington, DC Public
Library System.

You can read more about it (and see pictures!) here: http://chalk4peace.org

And here: http://www.infinitepossibility.org/chalk2006/


Please:
*Pass this along to friends, familiars & families. Bring the kids!!
*Wear brightly / fun colored clothing, hats, boas, scarves, bandanas and / or
the Nashville MAU signature aprons.
*Bring chalk!!
*If you have MAU buttons / stickers, wear 'em.
*This is an event for ALL kinds of families.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

BRING THE FAMILY POTLUCK SOCIAL & SALON.

Nashville Mothers Acting Up BRING THE FAMILY POTLUCK SOCIAL & SALON


Host: Nashville MAU

Location: Friends' Meeting House
530 26th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37209

When: Friday, September 15, 6:00pm

Series Schedule: Occurs the third Friday of every 1 month(s).

Final Date of the Series: Friday, August 17, 2007

Calling all joy warriors, apron string revolutionaries, reluctant communitarians and others:

Please come join in the fun for food, fellowship and a gently facilitated town meeting discussion about what Mothers Acting Up is, why it matters and how it might fit into YOUR family's life by bettering your community and the world at large. MAU is an international organization; the Mothership is in Boulder, CO and Nashville has an active MAU community as of this year.

Bring a dish to share. Drinks will be provided.

Bring the family!! There will be child wranglers in a beautiful shared space; all are welcome. Our gatherings are always nursing friendly and open to ALL kinds of families, including new and expectant families.

Door prize(s) will be awarded!!


"Mothers Acting Up (MAU) is an invitation to publicly & passionately advocate for the world’s children. Government leaders, corporations and the media already see mothers* as a political force to be reckoned with; it's time we flex a bit of our political power to ensure the health, education and safety of every child—wherever they live on earth."
* mothers and others, on stilts and off, who exercise protective care over someone smaller --mothersactingup.org

Nashville MAU here: www.nashvillemau.blogspot.com

Friday, August 25, 2006

Playgroup TODAY.

MAU playgroup is today at 9:30 at the Centennial Park playground.

Hope to see some of you there!!

"Mothers Acting Up (MAU) is an invitation to publicly & passionately advocate for the world’s children. Government leaders, corporations and the media already see mothers* as a political force to be reckoned with; it's time we flex a bit of our political power to ensure the health, education and safety of every child—wherever they live on earth." "
* mothers and others, on stilts and off, who exercise protective care over someone smaller" -- http://www.mothersactingup.org

Monday, August 14, 2006

Happy Birthday, Kate!


Today, we celebrate YOU. Keep on keepin' on, Little Mama.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

mobilize the mamas: grow community.


tomorrow. friday august 11.

9:30-11:30 am centennial park playground.

family playdate / gathering.


we will:

*read the MAU mission statement

*talk about the monthly MAU national action

*talk about local action & field trip possibilities

*carry onward w/ postcard campaign to bring awareness to the MDGs


bring: water, sunscreen, snacks to share. also: questions, answers, points of discussion, crafting projects, outdoor toys / games / activities.

get ready to arm your desire, mamas. we are JOY WARRIORS for the apron-string revolution.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

FRIDAYS: mobilize the mamas playgroup!!

Please note the change of day in the week!! Nashville MAU playgroups will now and in the future be on FRIDAY mornings!!

The first one was wonderful last week, despite the 99 degree heat and humidity. We had a buncha mamas, one very acting-uppity and cool daddy, and a passel of creative and delightful children, from under a year to age 5 or so....

The more the merrier! This is a y'all come event. Bring snacks to share, water, suncreen, blanket, outdoor toys / chalk, a craft to work on.... The playground at Centennial thankfully provides some good shade cover.


Feel free to share this with friends, colleagues, etc.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Starting in July, Nashville MAU (Mothers Acting Up) and cohorts will
be meeting up for a regularly scheduled weekly playdate.

When: FRIDAYS, 9:30-11:30 AM (beginning July 20)

Where: *Centennial Park Playground

What: Parent / Child playdates-- an effort to socialize, enjoy play & mobilize the mamas (and daddies) by creating some valuable community building time for families.


Mamas (and daddies) grab a cuppa and the little ones' hands and come on, come on.... Bring questions, interesting newspaper articles, copies of "An Inconvenient Truth" to lend or share, and any other information to shed light on in the realm of raising our children, our consciousness and our collective voices for a better world. From these informal gatherings, we hope to get to know one another, create collective actions where appropriate, engage in community service as folks see fit and arrange some slightly more formalized family field trips (visits to our representatives, the state capitol, local schools, family farms, etc.) Bring your ideas!! Bring your friends. Bring lawn games and outdoor toys to share. Bring snacks or picnic lunch if you care to. (Both good play and community building are best fueled by snacks!)

Children of all ages are welcome. Nursing friendly environment.

*In the event of inclement weather, we will gather at Borders Books & Music on West End, just across the street from the park.

Nashville Mothers Acting Up: http://www.nashvillemau.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Nashville MAU Playdates.





Starting on Thursday July 20, Nashville MAU and cohorts will be meeting up for a regularly scheduled weekly playdate.

When: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 AM (beginning July 20)

Where: *Centennial Park Playground

What: Parent / Child playdates-- an effort to socialize, enjoy play & mobilize the mamas (and daddies) by creating some valuable community building time for families.


Mamas (and daddies) grab a cuppa and the little ones' hands and come on, come on.... Bring questions, interesting newspaper articles, copies of "An Inconvenient Truth" to lend or share, and any other information to shed light on in the realm of raising our children, our consciousness and our collective voices for a better world. From these informal gatherings, we hope to get to know one another, create collective actions where appropriate, engage in community service as folks see fit and arrange some slightly more formalized family field trips (visits to our representatives, the state capitol, local schools, family farms, etc.) Bring your ideas!! Bring your friends. Bring lawn games and outdoor toys to share. Bring snacks or picnic lunch if you care to. (Both good play and community building are best fueled by snacks!)

Children of all ages are welcome. Nursing friendly environment.

*In the event of inclement weather, we will gather at Borders Books & Music on West End, just across the street from the park.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Stay Tuned.


We're looking at the possibility of weekly "Mobilize the Mamas" playgroups at Dragon Park. Would YOU come? Bring your kids? What day / time would work best for you? Write me.

We're also looking into Bring the Family potluck socials, family fieldtrips and mama salons....

We think, seeing how many of you came out on Mother's Day, that there's a need to be filled and we're looking for our tribe.

I hope to hear from you.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Rockin' It Out Family Style.

Nashville Mamas rocked it out family style today in our Mother's Day Reclaimation Event: our First Annual Mother's Day Parade for Peace.

With enormous thanks to the Boulder mothership for encouragement and guidance, to the extended Wingate clan who are one of the most talented families on planet earth, to the ALL the fantastic folks who came out despite the rain and cold and made our city sing out for peace, for mamas, and for children everywhere..... THE GREAT HUMAN FAMILY PREVAILS.

Tonight Mama Booty will curl up with her own dear little family, smiling apron string to apron string, worn out, but not worn down.

Energized by today's events and the overwhelmingly positive goodness emanating from the gathering together, Nashville Mothers Acting Up seeks to build on this community and build on this good work.

Those of you who took photographs, please send them my way for posting and sharing.

We made the news tonight at 10 on WSMV(Channel 4, home of MDG postcard campaign recipient Demetria Kalodimos) and expect to see a piece in tomorrow's Tennessean. Any clips would be much appreciated.

Stay tuned for news on the Mobilize the Mamas town hall / roundtable / salon type gatherings.....

Goddesspeed, good women and men. Sleep tight, sweet children.


Our song has only just begun.....

92 year old Grandmother for Peace is Honored Guest at Parade.


M E D I A A D V I S O R Y

Nashville Mothers Acting Up Reclaim Mother's Day

May 13, 2006 (Nashville)

Mothers Acting Up, a national organization devoted to the protection and prioritization of childrens' health and well-being around the world, is hosting Nashville's FIRST Annual Mother's Day Parade for Peace!! Come join with mothers and others and march through the heart of Hillsboro Village, gather at Dragon Park (Fannie Mae Dees Park) for music, entertainment, FREE PIE and more and celebrate the force and unity of Mothers rallying on behalf of children!!

Nashville joins dozens of other communities around the country this Mother's Day (Sunday, May 14th), to celebrate the day as it was originally envisioned by Julia Ward Howe in 1870: a day when mothers would gather to protect the lives of our human family and call for a better world for ALL of the children of the world.

Mothers Acting Up is dedicated to mobilizing the gigantic political strength of mothers*(and let's include fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers, friends, everyo ne!!) to ensure the health, education and safety of every child, not just a privileged few. 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.

Envision an event that is part celebratory, part consciousness/awareness raising and ALL activist! Parades and rallies in other cities have included speakers, music, costumes, stilt-walking, kids activities - anything you can think of!!! Nashville is centering its event around a mobilize the mamas for the MDGs campain which is two pronged and aimed at Katie Couric nationally and Demetria Kalodimos nationally.

Phyllis Rodin, 92-year-old Grandmother for Peace, has travelled to Nashville from Northampton, Mass. to attend the city's First Annual Mother's Day Parade for Peace A lifelong peace activist, Rodin is a regular at anti-war demonstrations and peace rallies. She ran for mayor of Northampton last year, at age 91, spurred on by a conversation with a young boy about world peace.Rodin said she felt obligated to help make the world a better place for the boy, who had complimented a sign she frequently carries that reads: 'War is not the answer.'
Although she didn't win the election, she succeeded in her goal of "stir[ring] up the waters that are murky." Rodin celebrated her 92nd birthday on May 10. She will be the oldest attendee of Sunday's parade.

Hosted by Mothers Acting Up, the Mother's Day Parade for Peace is co-sponsored by Nashville Peace & Justice Center, Code Pink, Wild Oats, Plum Good Food, Nashville Peace Coalition, More Than Warmth, and Organic Lawn & Pasture.

Over one hundred attendees from all walks of life are expected as of this writing.

For full press release: here.

##

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Bronx Mamas Reclaim Mother's Day.

This post came in originally as a comment from Bronx MAUster Tina. I thought it'd be good to share with y'all so you've an idea of just how the mamas are mobilizing across the country!!


Well hello there Mamas and our gracious greetings from the Bronx New York.
Glad to be rocking the world one city and one state at a time with you this Mother's Day.

Our event/part-ee/extravaganzic hoopla! is being held specifically to raise awareness of the literacy issues we have in our community. Together with a dash of help from The New York Public Library community outreach and children's services teams, a pinch of local church literacy programs, a large helping of My Family Farm cookie and cracker sponsorship and a huge helping of MOM POWER we are blasting open the literacy crisis in our local schools!

Here's some startling statistics:
• 61% of low-income families in the US have no books in the home or in the child-care centers they attend.
One-third of Bronxites live below the poverty line.
(Sources: The Literacy Crisis, First Book.org, US Census Bureau 2000)

• The number of books in the home is directly related to better reading and math scores. i.e the more books there are, the more proficient the student is in reading and math.
(Source: The National Center for Family Literacy)

• There are only 4 general bookstores in the Bronx, serving a population of 1.4 million people - and only one store selling Spanish titles. (Sources: Yellow Pages! US Census Bureau 2000)

• The Mayor’s Office has estimated that 1.5 million to 2 million city residents need literacy services. Fewer than 60,000 New Yorkers are currently receiving them. (Source: The Literacy Assistance Center, NYC)

• Nationwide, the average African-American or Hispanic 17 year old reads at the same level as the average White 13 year old. These of course are just the students who make it through high school.
(Source: The Education Trust 2000.)

And here's what we're doing about it:

We are encouraging a love of reading at the earliest age by bringing free quality books directly to the children who need them.

Our Bronx Mother’s Day celebration of reading will be held in Bronx Park East at Lydig Avenue, on Sunday May 14th from 2pm –5pm. Books will be given to parents of children aged 0-4 years. Books not handed out to parents at the event will be donated to pre-school programs, shelters, daycare centers and other children’s organizations in the Bronx. Parents are encouraged to bring books to donate as well.

We also have a Mother Goose Storyteller, stiltwalking practise and the essential FREE Cake, Cookies and much fun and frivolity.

Looking forward to hearing about what else is happening from coast to coast!
Cheers me dears!

Weather.

So tomorrow's forecast calls for rain in the late afternoon. Bring umbrellas!! We're hopeful that the presence of rain gear will stave off all but the most tame showers.

Looks like the day will also be somewhat cool, in the mid fifties, so please make sure to layer those costumes and bring a sweater or jacket for your little ones.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Talkin' Bout the MDGs.

And You Shall Have Some Pie....

Word is that Wild Oats will be providing not cake, but PIE for our Mother's Day reclaimation.

Mmmm. Pie.

Also, juice and some other snacks. Yum.


Plum Good Food has the bottled water covered.

The Contrarians Play for Peace!!

Friday, May 05, 2006

Come Join the Parade.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Paige La Grone Babcock or Kate Wingate
Paige 615-258-3966; Kate 615-352-8718
paigelabab@comcast.net or kzwingate@yahoo.com
http://www.nashvillemau.blogspot.com
www.mothersactingup.org

MOTHERS ACTING UP HOSTS MOTHER’S DAY PARADE AND RECLAIMS MOTHER’S DAY

Web-based Grassroots Movement Mobilizes Thousands of Mothers* To Move From Concern To Action
“It’s time to invest in the global family and divest from war”

May 1, 2006, [Nashville, TN] – Mothers Acting Up (MAU), an organization dedicated to mobilizing the gigantic political strength of mothers* to ensure the health, education and safety of every child, along with Nashville Peace & Justice Center, CodePink, Peace Roots Alliance, Wild Oats and Plum Good Food today announced that on Mother’s Day, May 14, at 12:30pm, mothers and their families will come together at Fannie Mae Dees Park (Dragon Park) to express their personal commitment and invite their communities to join them to prioritize and protect children.

On Mother’s Day weekend, Mothers Acting Up (MAU) will host events—ranging from mini tea parties, to radio addresses, to outrageously costumed parades—that reclaim Mother’s Day as it was originally envisioned in 1870; a day when mothers would gather to protect the lives of our human family. After the Civil War Julia Ward Howe wrote in her journal, "Why do not the mothers of mankind interfere in these matters, to prevent the waste of that human life that they alone bear and know the cost?"

Drawing on Julia Ward Howe's original vision of a Mother’s Day for Peace, MAU began in 2002 with one event in Boulder, Colorado and has spread rapidly due to the resonance of its message with people from all walks of life. Over the past three years, MAU has hosted 45 events from Sitka, Alaska to Memphis, Tennessee, all organized by mothers*, many of whom had never taken political action before. Along with Boulder, Parades will be held in Vashon Island, Seattle, Denver, Nashville, Manhattan, the Bronx and more. This movement is enabling mothers* to find their voice and move from concern to action at the local, national and global level.

The purpose of the 2006 MAU Mother’s Day celebrations is to inspire, educate and engage local communities to move from concern to action on issues confronting children worldwide. The events will include national collective action to educate communities about the US commitment to fund the Millennium Development Goals, a set of 8 goals to halve extreme poverty by the year 2015. “It’s time to invest in the global family and divest from war.” The action will be directed at Katie Couric and locally respected media figures –- Demetria Kalodimos in Nashville!!-- requesting their leadership in reaching a million mothers* who in turn will educate our communiti es and enter our halls of Congress to insist not another new nickel is spent the military until the Millennium Development Goals are funded. One event will have 8 mothers* on stilts depicting each of the MDGs!

Nashville organizers Paige La Grone Babcock and Kate Wingate met on a peace march earlier this year. Both mothers of young children, they immediately began to dream of a Mother’s Day reclamation event. In its inaugural year, the Nashville Mother’s Day Peace Parade will begin with gathering at Dragon Park for tricycle, wagon, stroller & wheelchair decorating. The Parade through Hillsboro Village will commence at 1:30 and return to the park at 2400 Blakemore where there will be a reading of Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation, entertainment, fellowship and refreshment. Local children’s entertainer Nate the Great will juggle and perform other feats of daring do; Nashville acoustic aggregate The Contrarians will provide a lively string band soundtrack. Wild Oats and Plum Good Food will provide cake, juice and water for Mother’s Day revelers.

About Mothers Acting Up
Mothers Acting Up (MAU) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing the gigantic strength of mothers* on behalf of the world's children. MAU offers a new breed of activism; one that is positive, accessible and supports mothers in making informed personal choices, inspiring collective action and influencing decision-makers. Through its annual Mother’s Day Parades in cities across the country, and other periodic events, MAU encourages mothers and others to publicly and passionately advocate for the world’s children. MAU is based in Boulder, CO. To learn more, please vis it www.mothersactingup.org.
# # #

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Getcher Glitter On

What're you going to wear for the Parade?

Me, I'm still thinking it up, though am sure to do an apron and some hair / hat thing and lots of glitter. I have a great fondness for glitter quite apart from the nightclubby hipster glitter go-go of what? five, six, seven years ago? It's more like a sprinkling of magic or as the storybooks say, fairy dust. It appeals to the crow in me, as does sea glass, bits of mirror, sterling silver jewels and other shiny things. So, a good dose of glitter.

Perhaps you're not sure yourself what to put on your wonderful woman bod or your wee ones or your partner and glitter's not your thang. OK. So what now? Slide into your favorite skirt or jeans and don an apron. And for the topper? Check out the tees available at the MAU mothership. The United design is pretty great, as is the old school stilt walking mama.

And actually? You can do these with a healthy sprinkling of glitter, too.

Monday, May 01, 2006

What's The Deal With The Stilts Anyway?

A mother I admire rather a lot wrote last evening to ask:

Paige, I may be obtuse but what do women on stilts have to do with
getting together to stop the ravages of war?

Her question gave me the opportunity to write a bit out and I thought I'd share it here as well, in the event any of you were curious.


Not obtuse at all, and in fact, a wonderful question.
I'll answer to the best of my ability at this time.

Stilts are:
*one of the hallmarks of Mothers Acting Up, as in Rise Up.(Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamation calls for mothers to Arise!) Take Rise Up / Arise to its many ends: a new day rising, and so on.
* there's strong symbology of woman being lifted UP, lifting UP her voice, raising UP her concerns, etc. It's making the smallest voices be heard, the least be seen.
*it's a great media opportunity and whether getting together to stop the ravages of war or to advocate for proper nutrition & healthcare for the world's children, the media coverage brings larger witness to the voice.

As mothers, when we band together, we have tremendous power, lifting UP not one, but first tens, then hundreds, then thousands (and so on) of voices, and to collectively bare witness in a way that continues to ripple outward. Media is a critical part of spreading the word, of helping the voice be heard. So bring on the stilts and the aprons and the big hats. These images are simple, yet powerful.

All that said, Nashville Mothers Acting Up does not have hard and fast plans to utilize stilted walkers in our parade this year due to time / money / woman power constraints. Next year we'll be working far enough out and with greater resources to hold a stilt building / walking workshop.

If women (or others) wish to attend the event and participate in the parade on stilts, that's a wonderful and welcome thing. I simply ask that folks be considerate of their own and others' safety and ALWAYS have a spotter. That's another beautiful symbol there: the hand of a friend helping a woman to be lifted up.

We're all in this rising up together
.


Also, there's this bit from the Mothership (find under "Parade Recipe"):

5. Walk on Stilts to express the joy and strength of mothers speaking
out:Having even one mother on stilts will transform the perception of mothers
and activism in your community. It also creates personal transformation; once
you’ve walked on stilts you are clear you can do just about anything. Stilts are
a MAU trademark-- symbolizing a far out perspective, taking big strides, joyful
expression--and are also ODD- thus newsworthy. Stilts also add a celebratory,
carnival atmosphere.Walking on stilts is MUCH more fun and not as difficult as
you might imagine. We suggest wearing kneepads and ALWAYS having a spotter who is sticks to you like white on rice. We’re not kidding: we never take a step
without a devoted spotter. We made our stilts and it's fairly easy (see recipe).
Also, if any of you are jugglers or can ride a unicycle, do it in the
parade.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

We're National, Baby!!

Or, er, we're a small but potent part of the (Inter)national Movement well established. In any case, Nashville's First Annual Mother's Day Parade for Peace is listed over here at the Mothership. Please be sure to share the news with friends, co-workers, sisters, compatriots, etc.

As of this writing, events registered through Mothers Acting Up will be taking place in a number of cities across the country, including six state capitols (including, of course, Nashville!)-- these cities include Flagstaff, AZ, Boulder, CO, NYC, NY, Madison, WI, Topeka, KS, Louisville, KY and my one time home, Seattle, WA.

Are you holding or participating in a Mother's Day Peace / Reclaimation event in your town? Please comment below, or holler at Ms. Booty Homemaker. We want to know all about it!!

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Y'all Come!!

Mother's Day Peace Parade!!

Sunday May 14, 2006

12:30-3:30 PM

Where: 2400 Blakemore Avenue
Nashville, TN -- Fannie Mae Dees Park (more commonly known as Dragon Park)


Arise!! Come one, come all! Join the festive revolution to reclaim Mother's Day in alignment with the vision of Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870.

This year's theme: Mothers Beyond Borders.

Gather up with the great human family:

12:30 tricycle, wagon, stroller & wheelchair decorating; face painting; dressing up in costume!!

1:30 sidewalk parade through Hillsboro Village and back to Dragon Park!!

Post parade: acoustic music by Nashville's very own Contrarians, a juggler / magician / children's entertainer and his feats of daring do, fellowship with FREE CAKE, juice, water & coffee.

Bring your knitting, your drums & kazoos; your grandmothers, babies, and mates.

Outlandish costumery is encouraged to add to the day's joyous reclaimation; aprons are a terrific symbol for the revelery of the day.

Please share this with families of all kinds; this is a Y'all Come event. If you feel so led, please sign up for a "job" to aid the parade.

Hosted by Mothers Acting Up, Nashville's First Annual Mother's Day Parade for Peace is co-sponsored by folks including Wild Oats, Plum Good Food, Peace Roots Alliance, and CodePink.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

It's On.

Heya, mamas! It's on. YOU have been served....

Right here in Middle Tennessee, there are Mothers Acting Up among us. Come join the parade!!


Details anon. But first, let me introduce myself and encourage my cohorts to do the same.

Me? I'm Ms. Booty Homemaker, writer, activist / organizer, wife to My Beloved Mister, mama to Ziggy, and passionate member of the great human family. My mission in life is to hold sacred space for the tender parts of humanity and to merry make my corner of the world into a more joyous place with me in it. The adventure of mamahood has ignited in me a steadier and slower burning flame; my plow mule self jubilantly joins the apron string revolution. What's that mean? Stay tuned.


For now, Save The Date.