A Powerful Noise

Celebrate International Women's Day with A POWERFUL NOISE!

Individuals and communities are joining CARE in theatres across the country to celebrate International Women's Day with a viewing of A POWERFUL NOISE Live. On the evening of March 5, CARE is hosting an unprecedented one-night event featuring "A Powerful Noise", an acclaimed documentary that follows three extraordinary women – Hanh is an HIV-positive widow in Vietnam, Nada is a survivor of the Bosnian war, and Jacqueline educates girls in Mali. The film takes you inside the lives of these women to witness their daily challenges and significant victories over poverty and oppression. Immediately following the film a town hall discussion will be broadcast live from New York to participating theatres, with renowned activists and experts including Nicholas Kristof, Christy Turlington Burns, and CARE President & CEO Helene Gayle, to discuss how we can empower women around the world to fight global poverty.

Tickets are on sale now. To learn more about the film, or for theatre and ticket information, visit www.apowerfulnoise.org.

Invite your friends, family and colleagues to attend A POWERFUL NOISE Live. Visit http://www.apowerfulnoise.org/guides.html to download a step-by-step planning guide for how local women's groups can participate in this exciting event.

Hot off the presses....

Here it is, drum roll please...the 2008 Annual Report, MAU's first ever! MAU celebrates mother leadership -- MAUs share their stories of action and visions for the world.

A journey of exploration, of the world and self

2009 MAU Calendar Portrait Camille Hook and her family are spending this month travelling through Southeast Asia visiting microcredit programs, while exploring the world. Visit their blog at www.Hooktrip.blogspot.com as they share what they learn, adventures, photos and videos.

Here’s a snippet from one of Camille’s postings before they left:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness” by Mark Twain
I ponder this quote daily. It was to my surprise that I would start to feel the truth of it so quickly by creating a blog! Sharing the experience of our travel has already widened the borders of the stereotyped family/friend "comfort zone conversation" to include topics such as global politics, immigration, geography, history, human rights, "poverty and despair vs. poverty and dignity," economy and my favorite topic: advocacy.

As a result, I've learned of the wisdom of your own journeys. Eloquently, you all have spoken with inspirational worldliness, open-mindedness and appreciation of culture and countryside. Thank you.

These kinds of conversational moments open doors in our fundamental relationships and build intimacy and trust from which I am finding all kinds of energy to act...explore further...discover more...share again. Whadyaknow...it's a cycle!

Weekly Action

Annie Leonard, the host of The Story of Stuff, is featured this week in the 2009 MAU Calendar. She discusses the problem with stuff in the US. Watch her online film that illustrates the hidden environmental and social costs of the current systems of production and consumption. And then....deliberately buy nothing one day this week.

Weekly Action

From the 2009 MAU Calendar...
Walk, bicycle or bus to the local library and check out Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Bring your household together to choose one action that will lighten your footprint on this earth.

Inauguration Day!

My husband and I witnessed history being made standing shoulder to shoulder with millions of others. The hours passed quickly as we left the house in the dark to make a 5:30am train to Washington, DC. We arrived full of excitement as the sun shined brightly on a cold January morning in our nation's capital. Tens of thousands waited at the security gates while we showed our tickets and entered single file. We made our way to our area and began the countdown -- literally, there was a man from St. Louis counting down to the swearing-in.

We made friends, chatted, laughed, discussed facebook updates, and knew that the eyes of the world were upon us as the excitement in the air grew by the minute. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see much given that the huge jumbotron had a big tree right in front of it, but none the less, we weren't any less excited.

And then, it all began....dignitaries were announced and made their way to their appointed seats. The crowd shouted for former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. For a society that values being loud, the power of silence was striking -- not a peep was uttered when George Herbert Walker Bush entered. Some boos, but again, mostly silence for Vice President Cheney. And then Bush entered, silence gave way to boos which gave way to the song -- Na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, hey, hey good-bye. These words filled the air from behind us, to the left of us and in front of us. And then the chanting started -- O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma. It was incredible, our voices -- young and old, from all over the country and the world, women and men -- joining in unison, sounding like one -- powerful!

President Obama began his speech as the crowd chanted. As he spoke of extending a hand in friendship to those whose fists were clenched, of helping poor nations to "nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds" and reaffirming our nation's spirit, the crowd roared their support. The sense of renewed hope, purpose and responsibility -- to ourselves, to our nation and to the world -- was palpable.

The next thing we knew, we were starting our journey home to tell our daughters all about it! (Our older daughter (7 years old) really wanted to be there and had actually suggested that I take her and that daddy could stay at home with her younger sister!)

The impact of the speech didn't really hit until we got home. It was a somber speech that reflected the seriousness of our time, yet was full of hope and inspiration based on the strength of us as a people.

There seems to be life again in the White House -- from Malia and Sasha, to watching the way President Obama and Michelle danced while watching the parade go by. Who knew that the leader of the free world could seem so down to earth? At the end of the day though, it is important to remember that while government is here to work for us and as President Obama will lead us, we all must be part of the change that this country needs.

And, as the 44th President of the United States said, now the work begins!

A story of inspiration and a request to vote

Susan Retik lost her husband on September 11th. He was on the first plane to hit the towers. Weeks later she gave birth to their third child. She eventually transcended her shock and grief by co-founding an organization called Beyond the 11th, which provides financial and emotional support to Afghani widows and their children who are trapped in an ever-deepening cycle of poverty. Beyond the 11th’s grants are geared toward programs that help widows gain the skills necessary to generate their own income. Susan’s work was inspired by the incredible generosity she received and her realization of the absolute scarcity of help for her counterparts in Afghanistan. Every year on the anniversary of her husband’s death Susan bikes from the site of the twin towers to Boston, MA to fundraise for Afghanistan’s widows. She eventually traveled to Afghanistan, along with Beyond the 11th co-founder and fellow September 11th widow Patti Quigley, to meet the recipients of her organization. The life changing trip is the subject of the documentary, Beyond Belief.

Susan’s work as Beyond the 11th director is to promote peace and justice. The rewards will be reaped by children as far as the Middle East, and as near as her own back yard.

Several weeks ago I wrote an essay nominating Susan for Cookie Magazine’s Smart Cookie Award. Nominations poured in to the magazine and Susan was chosen one of their 5 finalists!!! And YOU get to vote for the award winner! Please go on line to: http://www.cookiemag.com/magazine/sweeps/smart_cookie_finalists09/entry/long/ and vote for Susan Retik! She could win $35,000 for her organization! PLEASE, VOTE NOW!

There are no obligations to voting -- you do not have to subscribe to the magazine and I promise that you won’t be put on any mailing or call lists. Also, you can be a man or woman to vote. Tell all of your friends and family to vote! Together we can help Susan make a difference for the women and children in Afghanistan -- a difference that will have a ripple effect all throughout the world.

Thank you for your support!

Peace and Love,
Stephanie
A MAU in Pennsylvania

Get inspired! View her documentary trailer at: http://www.alivemindmedia.com/films/beyond-belief/
Learn more about her foundation at: http://www.beyondthe11th.org/index.html

Happy New Year!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

What better way to start the new year than by envisioning what we will do in 2009. Write down an issue you are passionate about and 3 actions steps you would like to take. Email it to beheard@mothersactingup.org and send along your mailing address for a free Mothers Acting Up bumper sticker.

Tell the new administration to make fighting global poverty a priority

On the campaign trail, Senator Obama went "On the Record" with promises to fight global poverty and diseases, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. Now, let's work to make those promises become reality. Join our friends at the ONE campaign and sign the petition asking President Elect Obama to make a pledge in your inaugural address to fight poverty and preventable diseases worldwide.

In January one of the first issues our new Congress will tackle will be the 2010 budget. Take action with CARE and ask your Representatives and Senators to add their names to the letters circulating Congress requesting a robust international affairs budget that will ensure vital humanitarian and development programs, which are critical in the fight against poverty.

Add your name by Nov. 24

Stand up against violence to women. The UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is collecting one million signatures to present to UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon on Nov. 25. Your voice counts, add your name to the list. Click here to watch the second installment of videos featuring UN Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman.

Add your name to the widget on the left by Monday, Nov. 24.

Welcome the 111th Congress with a card....

On November 18th, mothers and others across the country will be delivering "welcome" cards to their local Congressional offices, reminding their elected officials that they voted on November 4th to make climate change a priority. Tackling climate change is not only a priority for us, but has more significant implications in terms of the world that our children will inherit.

Gather up your kids, friends and family and join 1Sky and others or organize your own visit to your Members' offices. While you're there, leave behind information about the Mother Agenda and a plate of cookies (always welcomed by the staff!). Click here to sign-up and get all the necessary information.

Say NO to Violence Against Women

Did you know that 1 out of 3 women may suffer from abuse or violence in her lifetime? Click here to watch UN Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman talk about the Say NO to Violence Against Women campaign in a series of three short videos.

Then, join with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) as they collect 1 million signatures representing people saying “No” to violence against women. On November 25, UNIFEM and Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman will present these signatures to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Take a stand. Add your name and email to the box on the left hand side by November 24. To learn more about the campaign and solutions to the problem, click here.

Raise Your Voice Against Poverty

October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Add your voice to the chorus calling for the end to global poverty. Take action with:

CARE's National Day of Action: Join CARE and send a strong message to the next President of the United States that Americans care deeply about the plight of the world’s poor. Then, host a National Day of Action event to explore concrete actions we can all take to advance U.S. policies to empower women and end poverty and injustice in one community after another. CARE's website has the resources you need to make your National Day of Action event a resounding success! CARE is hosting events around the world on Oct. 17. To host your own event, view a listing of events or to take action online, click here.

Stand Up: Stand Up with your community – family, friends, coworkers, teammates, classmates, those at your house of worship – along with millions of others around the world against poverty. Stand Up is a global mobilization to end poverty and inequality. Last year, 43.7 million people joined Stand Up worldwide, setting a new world record. This year, we are asking people to Stand Up and Take Action on October 17 through October 19 to ensure governments worldwide hear our demands to end poverty.

We are the first generation to have the tools and resources to end extreme poverty. Let's create true security for our global family and make poverty history!

Knit One, Save One

October is here and there is a briskness to the air. As we start to add layers and hats to keep warm, join Save the Children's Knit One, Save One campaign.

60% of newborn deaths in developing countries can be prevented through some basic health measures, such as keeping a baby warm. That's where the Knit One, Save One campaign comes in. Click here to read more...

Back to School

It's September and children of all ages are back to school. However, there are 72 million children not in school around the world, and the majority of these children are girls.

Join CARE in their Back to School Campaign called Ignite the Girl Effect. Investing in girls' education pays off in so many ways. When girls gain basic skills like reading and writing, they grow up to earn twice as much money as their peers without education. They have fewer and healthier children. And they are more likely to reinvest their earnings in their families and communities. That's the power of education!

Watch a short video called the Girl Effect and then take action. Ask your Member of Congress to pass the Education for All Act.

Click here to watch the movie
Click here to take action

Sign the ONE petition asking party platforms to tackle global poverty!

Senators Daschle and Frist just returned from a trip to Rwanda where they learned some very encouraging things -- due to in large part an increase in bed net and anti-malarial medicine, there has been a 66% drop in deaths from malaria. But there is still much to be done.

In a couple of weeks, Senator Daschle and Frist will be meeting their parties' leaders as they write the policy agenda that will presented at the party conventions in Denver and Minneapolis. Tackling global poverty must be part of these policy priorities.

Sign the ONE petition seen below, and the Senators will deliver your signature when they meet with representatives from the Democratic Republican Parties to ask these political leaders to include extreme poverty and global disease in their 2008 platforms.

The petition: As a proud American, I urge you to make ending extreme poverty and global disease in the developing world a core part of your 2008 platform by including commitments to:

Fight AIDS, TB and malaria and improve basic health services, particularly for mothers and young children

Ensure access to clean water, basic sanitation and sufficient food supplies

Spur economic growth through equitable trade and investment policies

Modernize and increase development assistance, focusing on partnership, transparency and accountability

Achieve universal primary education

As Sen. Daschle says: "My late friend Paul Wellstone was fond of saying that, “The poor don’t have a lobbyist. That’s why I went to Washington.” The hope for a better future that Senator Frist and I saw in Rwanda shows what’s possible when two million of us “go to Washington” on behalf of the world’s poorest people. This summer, together, we have the chance to go to Denver and Minneapolis and show that ending global poverty is a priority for both political parties."

Sign the petition at ONE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MINDFUL MAMA?

Check out this exclusive interview with Ani Difranco!

This interview kicks-off the Mindful Mama photo/art/essay contest, inviting moms across the country to speak their mind - and heart - about parenting in today’s world. Over $10,000 in baby gear and eco-friendly prizes will be awarded to top submissions.

Ani DiFranco is a pioneer of women’s music. Nominated for several Grammys, Ani owns her own record label - Righteous Babe Records-and now her own performance venue in her home State, New York. She was recently on NPR’s World Café, Jay Leno, and the cover of Mothering Magazine. Ani is a self-proclaimed feminist, participated in the march for women’s lives in Washington DC in 2004 and was the first musician to be honored with the “Woman of Courage Award” by the National Organization of Women in 2006. Ani’s daughter, Petah, is 18 months old and was born at home.

The grand prize winner of the Mindful Mama contest will be awarded an all expense paid trip to see Ani DiFranco perform in NYC. Two nights at the Westin New York at Times Square, spa package and babysitter included. The runner-up will win a Green Nursery, including stylish furniture, organic crib bedding, a natural crib mattress, non-toxic paint and window coverings.

Category winners will receive top-of-the-line gifts for mom, baby and home.

Prize sponsors of the contest include over 20 companies that are leading the way in health and sustainability for families: BabyBjorn, Baby Planet, Baby Star, Bebe au Lait, Be Present, Britax Bumkins, Ellie’s Homestore by Eco Products, Dansko, Evenflo, Green Nest, Happy Baby, Hunter Douglas, Kushies, Kuster, Lansinoh, Maggie’s Organics, Medela, Moby Wrap, Natracare, Natural Mat, New Chapter, Nordic Naturals, Pangea Organics, RW Knudsen Family, Scandanavian Child, Summer Infant, Traditional Medicinals and World of Good.

For more details on the contest visit www.mindfulmamamagazine.com.

Send submissions to editor@mindfulmamamagazine.com

President Bush urges Congress to pass AIDS funding

This just in from Reuters via our friends at the Global AIDS Alliance.....

WASHINGTON, July 2 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush urged Congress on Wednesday to approve funds to fight AIDS in Africa and other countries, and said the issue was high on his agenda for a Group of Eight summit in Japan next week.

Members of the U.S. Senate sought last week to pass legislation to more than triple funds to fight AIDS, but some Republicans vowed to block it because of its cost.

The House of Representatives has approved its version of the measure which proposes $50 billion in U.S. funds over five years to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

"It's very important that Congress reauthorize this plan," Bush said to reporters ahead of the trip to the July 7-9 G8 summit.

Bush, who has been praised for leading efforts on funding for fighting AIDS in the developing world, said he would press G8 countries as well.

"One of my really important agenda items is going to ... rally our partners to make commitments and meet commitments," Bush said.

"We'll also discuss additional steps to confront some other challenges, such as the need to train health care workers in G8 partners countries in Africa," Bush said.

Bush's President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief or PEPFAR is supplying HIV drugs to 1.73 million people worldwide, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The program, which also includes Vietnam and Haiti, is considered one of Bush's foreign policy successes.

More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since it was first recognized more than a quarter century ago. About 33 million people are infected with HIV, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa where it is spread primarily through heterosexual sex.

(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Maggie Fox and David Wiessler)

Add your voice in asking the G8 to keep their promise to fight extreme poverty

From our friends at the ONE Campaign....

The Financial Times ran an article yesterday [June 30, 2008] with a lead that could hardly be more alarming: "Leaders of the Group of Eight rich nations are set to backtrack on their landmark pledge at the Gleneagles summit in 2005 to increase development aid to Africa to $25bn a year."

It is astonishing that there is even debate within the G8 as to whether or not they should keep their promises. But the fact that there is a debate adds urgency to our call to the G8 to deliver on their commitments.

Tell the G8 to follow through on their promises -- click here to sign our petition

Petition text:

We call upon you to build on recent success in fighting extreme poverty by delivering your commitments on healthcare, agriculture and education and by helping citizens in developing countries in their efforts to improve governance and fight corruption.

This potential reversal comes at a time when we are seeing results from investments in development. For example, thanks to distribution of bed nets and increased access to anti-malarial drugs, in Rwanda both deaths and cases of malaria have dropped by two-thirds since mid-2006.

As malaria still kills around one million people a year, it is clear that we must replicate success stories like this. But it won’t happen if the G8 backtrack on their commitments.

Please tell the G8 leaders that aid works and is desperately needed.

Thank you for your voice,
Josh Peck, ONE.org

Violence Against Women and Girls Recognized as a Threat to Nations' Security

On Friday, June 20, the UN Security Council approved a resolution (UNSCR 1820) that demands warring governments and factions act to halt violence against women and girls. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who chaired part of the Security Council session, said the world had now recognized that such violence was a threat to nations' security.

"This world body now acknowledges that sexual violence [against women and girls] in conflict zones is indeed a security concern," Rice said. "We affirm that sexual violence profoundly affects not only the health and safety of women but the economic and social stability of their nations."

Violence against women and girls reinforces social and economic barriers that drive poverty -- having experienced sexual violence, women and girls are further marginalized by their communities, are unable to work, complete their education and are put at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.

The U.S. Congress is currently considering legislation that would take a more integrated and proactive approach in combating violence against women -- the International Violence Against Women Act. Call your Senators and Representative to urge their co-sponsorship of S. 2279 (introduced by Senators Biden and Lugar) and H.R. 5927 (introduced by Rep. Berman) and their support it when it comes to a vote.