Mother's Day wrap up!

Dearest Joy Warriors & Apron String Revolutionaries; The MAU Mother's Day stories and photographs keep rolling in! Thousands of mothers acting up gathered in cities and hamlets across the nation to celebrate the day in the spirit of Julia Ward Howe: advocating for the world's children. We've gone public with press aplenty, witnesses to the powerful force that is mother leadership! And in a year when many events partnered with 1Sky on their collective Mother's Day Action, it's no surprise that the weather played a large role in the festivities. Here are a few reports: From Teresa in Snohomish, WA: Our Mother's Day Gathering for Peace was a huge success! We had well over 125 people and it didn't rain! Our tradition is to have a girl/woman from every decade read a portion of the Mother's Day Proclamation by stepping up onto a tree stump. We even had our spry, mid-70s grandmother step proudly up on the stump! From Kate in Northern Michigan: A great group of area women came together to celebrate and collaborate during our annual Northern Michigan MAU Mother's Day event. This year, we focused on a simple recipe for success with our theme, "Just Add Water." We honored five local women who have been passionate advocates for our lakes and rivers, and were fortunate enough to hear their inspiring stories of activism. Our bazaar brought in $8,000 -- a fantastic kick off toward our $14,000 goal to bring a PlayPump well system to a village in Tanzania. From Paige in Nashville: Gale force winds (up to 30 miles per hour) radically altered our plans for our 3rd Annual Peace Parade. Two trees fell while we were at the park to set up. Mother Nature was to be respected and lived with in all her wonder. We opted to go out for coffee instead of setting up, then gathered for our parade and cake and a spirited reading of the proclamation. We had a surprisingly large crowd, given the weather. It was wild and great and we went from one stilt walker last year to two this year. We nearly blew away. But didn't. From Juliana in Boulder: Mother's Day began the week before in Boulder with Girlcotts celebrating local fair trade stores, a performance of (M)other and Janna on TV! Then on Sunday, the Raging Grannies led a parade of stilt-walkers and strollers to gather for music, kids activities, cake and a thousand fair trade roses from Transfair/USA. Eight other organizations joined MAU in the celebration; talking with participants and hearing the eloquent words of MAU Co-founder Erica Shafroth and Jen Parsons. The entire crowd enjoyed stirring music from Danea Shanti and Ancestral Voices, including a troop of belly dancers! A festival atmosphere prevailed, culminating in an hour-long interview with Dr. Daddio! From Kate in Bend, OR: I am very inspired and unbelievably satisfied: we had a splendid Reclaiming Mother's Day event. Our first annual MAU celebration of Julia Ward Howe's original vision started off with gusts of wind, snow and chilly temps. No matter though: families still came to picnic, play and participate in the movement. David in Oklahoma City: In the midst of a rainy month we were blessed with an absolutely beautiful sunny afternoon and had a crowd of 75-100 people -- women, men and children -- who enjoyed being on the grass and even under a large shade tree, so everyone stayed comfortable. [We had] a wonderful speech by State Senator Connie Johnson, whose birthday it also happened to be. Our two elementary-school essay contest winners read what they had written on the subject, "I Want To Live In a World In Which . . . " and they each received $40 in gift certificates for their efforts. Laura in Austin, TX: Adorned in colorful tutus, feathers, and flowers, Austin mamas marched across the pedestrian bridge, which spans our beautiful Town Lake, declaring, "There ain't no power like the power of the mama, and the power of the mama don't stop!" Cheers to mamas, papas, mini-MAUs and all who answered Julia's call to "Arise!" Yours for the JOYFUL revolution, The Mavens at MAU Central P.S. MAU Central gives a huge shout out to Paige for all the encouragement, support and guidance she dispatched along the planning route to Reclaiming Mother's Day. On June 1 MAU Central will say goodbye to Paige as Outreach Coordinator, sending love and blessings to her next adventure. On behalf of all MAUs who have been touched by her spirit, we thank Paige for her incredible leadership, passion, exuberance and her wonderful laugh! We hope to hear it often in the years to come...

Potluck social & salon AND Compass Conference this weekend!!

Dearest Nashville area MAU families,

Thanks to the many of you who came out to enjoy 2008's Mother's Day Peace Parade-- our 3rd Annual local reclaimation celebration!! It was a very beautiful event.

Gale force winds (up to 30 miles per hour) rather radically altered our plans. Two trees were felled during the time we were at the park to set up. We opted not to put up any of the tents or do our carefully planned actions, and we also put off the children's activities and presenatation of the 2008 Julia Ward Howe Award. All of that was fine: Mother Nature was to be respected and lived with in all her wonder. We opted to go out for coffee instead of setting up, then gathered for our parade and cake and a spirited reading of the proclamation. We had a surprisingly large crowd, given the weather. It was wild and great and we went from one stilt walker last year to two this year. We nearly blew away. But didn't. The remarkable Contrarian Ensemble played anyway, just for love and cake and lemonade. It was a really wonderful day. We'll do the actions and award ceremony and our raffle and everything else on Friday night at our post parade potluck instead. Free raffle tickets for all mothers who attend!!!

YA'LL COME!! Bring your mothers, friends, sisters, children, neighbors....we'll be celebrating, feasting, and acting up....

Friday May 16, 6 PM: Post Parade Mother's Day Potluck Social & Salon

at the Nashville Friends Meeting House, 530 26th Ave N

Bring a dish to share, wear festive attire (parade hats encouraged!) and prepare to revel in our community. Sherry Knott will receive the 2008 Julia Ward Howe Award, actions and activities will take place. We're a welcoming community for ALL kinds of families, including those with or without children. $3 suggested donation goes to the Meeting House for utilities and upkeep.


And....


Saturday May 17 is People's Day at Compass!! (Early registration deadline and pricebreak has been extended to today!!)

Nashville MAU Organizer and MAU National Outreach Coordinator Paige La Grone Babcock will be on the afternoon panel for the Democracy in the Media Track where she-- along with a group including Liberadio's Mary Mancini, Stand for Children's Andy Spears, and Gathering to Save Our Democracy's Bernie Ellis-- will address the topic Crafting Your Message And Making It Heard.

A great event, not to be missed, Tennessee Alliance for Progress puts together the annual Compass Conference as a means to mobilize, inform, and network our state and region's progressive community. As they say: We're all in this together.

See you this weekend!!

The Nashville MAU Mavens

Healthy Child, Healthy World.

No one organization will make the changes we need to be and see in order to have the world's children best cared for. That's why it's so very important to know the truth of We're all in this together! It will take all hands on deck from domestic to international efforts, sometimes one baby step at a time, to co-create the kind of world and social environment that we want for our children. ALL our children.

Here's but just one such domestic organization's message of hope.

Nashville MAU participates in 1Sky collective action.

Click here for more information about how Nashville MAUs (and other local MAU groups from Portland, ME to Chicago, IL) are part of over 455 groups in this country and beyond to participate in massive collective actions about global warming and climate change through the combined efforts of leaders in action Green Peace, True Majority, and 1Sky!!

Nashville's 3rd Annual Mother's Day Peace Parade.

video courtesy of Chris Lugo. Thank you, Chris!!

Nashville MAU's Mother's Day events in Nashville Parent.

Top Ten Ways to Reclaim Mother's Day.

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!

Weather and preparation....

Weather for Sunday, May 11 -- MOTHER'S DAY-- calls for scattered thunderstorms. On our Third Annual Mother's Day Peace Parade, it's essential to be prepared for the elements. Bring sunscreen, bugspray, AND umbrellas and slickers....

Additionally, one might also think about bringing:
camping / lawn chairs
blankets
lawn games
harmonicas / finger cymbals / drums / tambourines
picnic goodies
water canteens
hula hoops
peaceful positive message signs or banners or flags
festive hats, boas, aprons, fairy wings and other costumery
strollers, wagons, trikes, bikes, unicycles, pogo sticks, etc.

Nashville’s 3rd Annual Mother’s Day Peace Parade

Nashville’s 3^rd Annual Mother’s Day Peace Parade

Hosted by Nashville’s Mothers Acting Up community

Sunday May 11; 2-4 PM @ Dragon Park, sign making and stroller / wagon / trike decorating begins at 1:30!

MUSIC from Nashville’s very own Contrarian Ensemble!!

Raffle for beautiful handcrafted items, movie tickets and other goodies!! FREE raffle tickets for all attending mothers!!

• Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic lunch or supper, come early, stay late.
• Children’s activities! Music! FREE CAKE and other refreshment! Mamas on stilts, belly dancing, and hooping!!....
• Wagon, stroller, and tricycle decorating supplies provided.
• Bring drums / harmonicas / penny whistles and finger cymbals, hula hoops, signs / flags and banners with peaceful messaging, bubbles, and joyful spirits.
• Costumes and festive hats highly encouraged.

Known and beloved to many in greater Nashville, Sherry Knott -- mother, active Nashville and Bells Bend community member, and Director of Abintra Montessori School-- will be honored by Nashville MAU and presented with the 2008 Julia Ward Howe Award at the Mother’s Day Parade! Come out and support Sherry and join with us in celebrating exemplary mother leadership right here in our home city!!

The Mother’s Day Parade is fun for the whole ding-dang family (all ages, stages and formations thereof!). Nashville MAU casts a wide net: if you aren’t a mother, you HAVE one. When mothers lead, generations follow!

For more info, contact paige@mothersactingup.org

Nashville to Reclaim Mother's Day.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Paige La Grone Babcock, paige@mothersactingup.org, 615-495-1879

Reclaiming Mother’s Day: UNITING OUR COMMUNITY FOR OUR GLOBAL FAMILY
Grassroots Movement Mobilizes Mothers* To Move From Concern To Action

(Nashville, April 30, 2008) Nashville’s Mothers Acting Up community announces Nashville’s 3rd Annual Mother’s Day Peace Parade. Mothers Acting Up (MAU) is a mother-led, mother fed grassroots movement of mothers (and others) publicly and passionately advocating for the world’s children, beginning right here at home.

The MAU hosted Peace Parade & Reclamation Celebration will take place on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11 from 2-4 PM at Fannie Mae Dees (Dragon) Park. Stroller and wagon decorating and sign making (supplies provided!) begin at 1:30 PM. As in previous years, gaily dressed, apron-wearing participants will utilize the sidewalk to parade — on and by foot, wagon, stroller, tricycle, wheelchair and stilts!! — from Dragon Park (at 2400 Blakemore Ave.) down Blakemore, through the heart of Hillsboro Village, and back up Belcourt, ending at the Park where there will be family friendly activities, music provided by the Contrarians Ensemble, refreshments and FREE CAKE.

Nashville’s MAU community has been going strong for two years with regularly occurring play and action groups, potluck social and salons, and congressional visits with babes and children in tow. As its proudest community achievement, the local group of mothers* successfully led the call to fully reinstate 2007’s severe proposed budgetary cuts to the Nashville Public Library, a fate that would have diminished much of our city’s finest family offerings by way of the main branch’s stellar children’s programming.

Around the world, mothers and others are uniting into a gigantic, educated, noisy and powerful lobby to reclaim the original peaceful purpose of Mothers' Day and mobilize for the wellbeing of all children all year long. Nashville Mothers Acting Up invites you to be part of this exuberant revolution.

Reclaiming Mother’s Day events are inspired by the life, words and actions of Julia Ward Howe. In 1870 she wrote a Mother’s Day Proclamation and called for a day when the world would honor what mothers hold most dear: the lives of our children, of all children. The events celebrate the vision that Julia spoke of 100 years ago: mothers everywhere rising up together around that which unites us rather than divides us — our global family.

Known and beloved to many in greater Nashville, Sherry Knott -- mother, active Scottsboro / Bells Bend community member, and Director of Abintra Montessori School -- will be honored by Nashville MAU and presented with the 2008 Julia Ward Howe Award at the Mother’s Day Parade. Join with us in celebrating exemplary mother leadership right here in our home city!!

Arise!! Our Mother’s Day collective action piece sees Nashville MAU affirming the need for protected greenspace over development of a mini-city in the Bells Bend community, preserving this local piece of Mother Earth for the children of both today, and tomorrow! Families of ALL kinds and in all stages welcome. Free raffle tickets with fantastic prizes for all attending mothers. Folks are invited to pack a picnic to come early, and stay late. Costumes, festive hats, stilts, hula hoops, skates, and trikes highly encouraged!

When mothers lead, generations follow!

For more information about the celebration, contact: Paige La Grone Babcock, paige@mothersactingup.org, 615-495-1879 or Kate Wingate, kzwingate@gmail.com, or visit www.nashvillemau.blogspot.com

About Mothers Acting Up: Mothers Acting Up exists to inspire and mobilize mothers* to advocate on behalf of the world’s children. MAU was founded in Boulder, CO. www.mothersactingup.org

* mothers and others, on stilts or off, who exercise protective care over someone smaller

##

Local MAU and young farmer Nancy VanWinkle in the Tennessean....

Young farmers embrace life on the land

For many young adults, farming is a calling

By JENNIFER JUSTUS • Staff Writer • April 26, 2008

As college students, Nancy and Tony VanWinkle met in a coffee shop where they talked all night about Thoreau, the rural life and moving west. Young, educated and eco-friendly, they pursued degrees in therapeutic recreation and anthropology, yet made lists of vegetables they hoped someday to grow, even dreaming up a name for their imaginary farm.

Nearly 10 years and several backyard gardens later, the VanWinkles — now in their early 30s — own a 5-acre piece of land in Goodlettsville and find themselves among a groundswell that could change the look of farming from weathered and windblown to young and fresh-faced.

As the average age of farmers hovers near 60, younger people in Tennessee have been signing on to farm apprenticeships, attending.... (read more here)

This morning! MAU co-founder on public radio call in show.

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 at the URL 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

Save the Date: 3rd Annual Mother's Day Peace Parade.

Nashville’s 3^rd Annual Mother’s Day Peace Parade

Hosted by Nashville’s Mothers Acting Up community

Sunday May 11

2-4 PM @ Dragon Park

• Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic lunch or supper, come early, stay late.
• Children’s activities! Music! FREE CAKE and other refreshment! Mamas on stilts, belly dancing, and hooping!!....
• Wagon, stroller, and tricycle decorating supplies provided.
• Bring drums / harmonicas / penny whistles and finger cymbals, hula hoops, signs / flags and banners with peaceful messaging, bubbles, and joyful spirits.
• Costumes and festive hats highly encouraged.

Known and beloved to many in greater Nashville, Sherry Knott -- mother, active Nashville and Bells Bend community member, and Director of Abintra Montessori School-- will be honored by Nashville MAU and presented with the 2008 Julia Ward Howe Award at the Mother’s Day Parade! Come out and support Sherry and join with us in celebrating exemplary mother leadership right here in our home city!!

The Mother’s Day Parade is fun for the whole ding-dang family.

Nashville MAU casts a wide net: if you aren’t a mother, you HAVE one.

When mothers lead, generations follow!

For more info, contact paige@mothersactingup.org

Mothers Acting Up exists to inspire and mobilize mothers* to advocate on behalf of the world’s children.

*mothers and others who exercise protective care over someone smaller

MAU: the First Principle.

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!

Upcoming MAU events.

Monday, January 28, 6:30 PM: MAUmas Night Out - Portland Brew, East Nashville: 1921 Eastland Ave. Start a folder or a list now with ideas you'd like to talk about, actions you're interested in participating in or leading, etc. Come prepared to talk about the primaries (Super Tuesday fast approaches!!) Bring laptops or knitting / crafting projects if you like.

Bring your 2008 MAU Handbook & Engagement Calendar (or other datebook) to set the date for the Feb Mom's Night Out.


Feb TBA: MAU Now: Mobilizing the Mamas-- The Joy of Activism Workshop offered for FREE here in Nashville. Date TBD at MAUmas Night Out (see above). Do you want to act up but feel timid or uncertain? Would you like to be a Nashville community organizer? Would you like to learn to table and talk the Mother Agenda comfortably and in general get really familiar with MAU principles? Join Paige for this workshop (free!!), wherever you are in your mothering and activism journey. For details: paige@mothersactingup.org


Monday Feb 4, 12 Noon: Join Go Green Nashville at 2nd Presbyterian: 3511 Belmont Blvd. The much loved Hector and Susie Black of Cookeville (blueberry farmers, earth stewards and Hidden Springs Nursery residents) will give a presentation on their 5 decades of green living and simple abundance. NOT TO BE MISSED. Children welcome; bring quiet activities, bag lunch or something yummy and nutritious to share. Contacts: Susan McBride shmcbride@comcast.net 615-258-2672 and Sara Sharpe saralsharpe@aol.com 615-210-0212.


Wednesday Feb 27: Join Stand for Children for their annual Day on the Hill. Contact: Nashville SFC Organizer Francie Hunt hunt@stand.org



Additional dates to add to your calendar:

Saturday March 2008: Earth Hour

April Date TBA: Nashville Earth Day Festival To volunteer to woman MAU's booth, contact Paige: paige@mothersactingup.org

Sunday May 11: NASHVILLE'S 3RD ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY PARADE!!
Contact Paige to get involved: paige@mothersactingup.org

Friday May 16: Bring the Family Potluck Social & Salon; gather to celebrate successful parade, share pictures, feast!

Friday August 15: Bring the Family Potluck Social & Salon

Friday October 17: Bring the Family Potluck Social & Salon


Discussion takes place on a variety of related subjects and impromptu activities come together on the Nashville MAU yahoogroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nashvillemau/. Check the blog for other updates: http://nashvillemau.blogspot.com/.

Join the national website for monthly actions and inspirational missives: www.mothersactingup.org

And jump into what promises to be spirited discussion this election year to talk about mother, children's and family issues at the brand new national MAU list serv: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MothersActingUp/

Peaceful Family Friendly Activities This Weekend and Beyond.

Friday evening Jan 18
6-8 PM

Potluck Social & Salon at Nashville Friends' Meeting House.

Bring a dish to share and $3 per family for the Meeting House.

We'll be making hats for moms, kids, dads, friends to wear for
Mother's Day and other high MAU holidays. Bring hat ideas, materials
for crafting, etc!!

Friends, neighbors, extended family welcome. Child and all family friendly.

Other upcoming MAU events include:

Monday Jan 21: participation in MLK March; 10 AM meet at DB Todd Ave & Jefferson St.

Monday Jan 28: Mama’s Night Out—details TBA

Monday Feb 3: participation in Go Green Nashville’s Lunch and Learn; noon @ 2nd Presbyterian @ Graybar & Belmont

Wednesday Feb 27: participation w/ Stand For Children at Day on the Hill

Contact Paige w/ questions: paige@mothersactingup.org

Office 615-750-3780

Mobile Mama 615-495-1879

Arise Nashville Mamas! Bring the vision to OUR community.
***************************************************************************
The MAU Vision: We realize that we live in a world that does not prioritize or protect our children's wellbeing and that this will not change without each of us finding the courage and commitment to speak out on their behalf. By mobilizing our gigantic political strength, we can ensure the health, education and safety of every child, not just a privileged few. Let us: whisper this to each other, sing it out in the streets, yell it from our rooftops, declare it in our houses of government: we will protect our children with our personal and political strength, wherever they live on earth! www.mothersactingup.org

Earth Hour 2008.

Can One Woman's Passion Change the World?

From Boulder MAU's Janna Vance:

I started to discover my passion when I left the hospital three days after my daughter, Lillian, was born. I had to leave my sweet baby girl in the nursery. My heart broke. I knew that there were many, many people in this world that had to leave their sweet babies in the nursery for much longer and I felt for them. But, that time away from Lillian was among the most horrible and heart-wrenching of my life.

Then, a strange thing happened. Lillian was released from the hospital. But as my husband drove us home, I gazed out the window at the people walking on the streets, the parks, the world. All of it moving so fast, none of them thinking about the safety of my baby girl. And I thought, "What is this world that I'm bringing my baby home to?" She was so incredibly safe in the nursery. Even I and my husband had to go through security measures to get in to see our baby. Now, all of that would be gone. The only thing standing in between my daughter and the cruel world... was me!

And what of the other children in the world? Was there someone to stand up for them? Would they be safe? Would they all have the support to grow up to be the people that I would want my daughter to share the world with?

That is precisely why I am joining the Parade Magazine America's Giving Challenge. I am competing to gain the most new supporters for my charity, Mothers Acting Up. If I win, I will receive $50,000 for the charity of my choice! But the challenge ends in just 17 days, so the time is now.

Mothers Acting Up works to ensure that someone does look out for the world's children, and so much more. I have had the opportunity to spend a little time with the MAU team in Boulder, CO and they are the most amazing, passionate and inspiring people I've ever met. MAU works in the local community to increase awareness of all issues related to children and the world we will pass along to them. MAU works to ensure that our children will have a planet that is environmentally balanced, politically fair and joyful in its diversity.

I am not sure that my passion can change the world, but I know that my passion and your support can help sustain this wonderful organization to foster world change!

I am asking you to please give $10 to Mothers Acting Up and help me toward my goal of winning the America's Giving Challenge. The challenge awards the person who reaches the largest number of new supporters. Therefore, if you can inspire your family members, friends and colleagues to give I stand a real chance of winning this challenge. So, please pass it on. And thank you for caring.

Click here to give: http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=109713

Find more about MAU at www.mothersactingup.org And keep up on my progress on the Boulder MAU Blog.

In great appreciation,

Janna Vance

Political Moms Make Family Values Their Baby

Political Moms Make Family Values Their Baby Run Date: 01/09/08 By Alison Bowen WeNews correspondent Mothers' groups are talking to presidential campaigns about family values. It's time, says a founder of Moms Rising, to focus on paid sick days for workers, equal pay for women and affordable health care for all. (WOMENSENEWS)--Wobbling forward on stilts is one way to gain attention. That's why four founding members of Mothers Acting Up have been visible high above the crowds in more than 80 events since the group launched on Mother's Day 2002. "It became such a perfect metaphor for Mothers Acting Up," says Juliana Forbes, communications director for the Boulder, Colo., group focused on political advocacy for children around the world. "One of the biggest hurdles is really becoming public and visible in your community. If you're up on stilts, you are so visible. Everyone's looking at you." Building on their strategy of mobilizing active members to