Boulder & Longmont Mothers Acting Up

What do cosmetics have to do with breast cancer?

2009-10-20T07:29:00.003-06:00

Only 11% of chemicals used in cosmetics,
personal care products, and baby toys in the
U.S. have been assessed for safety for human
health and the environment.

A growing body of scientific research suggest that exposure
to toxic chemicals—even very early in life—are contributing to
high breast cancer rates, other cancers, reproductive harm,
and other health problems.

The Women’s Lobby of Colorado and the Campaign for Safe
Cosmetics invite you to join us for a FREE EVENT to learn more!

Tuesday, October 27th – 6 p.m.
Panelists:
State Rep. Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield & Boulder County), four-time
cancer survivor
Susan Roll, founding member of the National Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and
board member of the Women’s Lobby of Colorado
Robyn O’Brien, Founder of AllergyKids, author of The Unhealthy Truth and board
member of the Environmental Working Group
Josh Onysko, Founder & CEO of Boulder-based Pangea Organics

Location:
First Baptist Church
1237 Pine St.
Boulder, CO 80302

Parking is available in the Spruce Lots or on the street
Light refreshments will be provided and get a free goodie bag!
Meet local companies doing good work in Colorado…

RSVP by October 23 at coloradowomenslobby.org. The first 100 people to register will receive a free goodie bag of safe cosmetics from Colorado companies

Mothers Day Events 2009

2009-04-22T11:46:00.003-06:00

Mothers Acting Up is shaking everything up this year. In this new era, we are turning are attention to more mother leadership and more action!!! We will not have our Mother’s Day Parade down Pearl Street, but hope you will join us on May 29th on a field trip to our Members of Congress! We’ll be riding on the New Era bus!!! Please check out the special events and gatherings that will happen all month long! To volunteer for any of these events, please email kelye_lotz@hotmail.com.

Friday May 1 (M)other presented by Beth Osnes followed by potluck dinner and the workshop: Empowering Mother Voices 5:30pm to 8:30pm Christ Church, 690 Colorado Boulevard, Denver (M)other explores how to get the people of one nation to authentically care about the children of other nations. It is an intimate, funny and provocative look at one mother’s personal transformation, moving from concern to action on behalf of the world’s children. Hosted by Christ Church United Methodist Church and The Gathering Place in partnership with Mothers Acting Up and Philanthropiece, this event will uniquely bring together groups of women who would normally never meet, breaking down stereotypes and reaching across class lines, reinforcing that each of us is part of a global community of mothers. Childcare will be provided; for more info, contact Louana George at westsidebirthservice@juno.com

May 1, FabFacets Jewelry Open House to benefit MAU By Linda Shoemaker 4 to 8 pm This event is in Boulder, RVSP for directions to Claire@lindashoemaker.com FabFacets jewelry is hand-crafted from natural stones by Boulder’s own Linda Shoemaker. 50% of sales will be donated to Mothers Acting Up.

Saturday, May 2 Celebrate Fair Trade and Mothers! 1 to 7pm Momentum 1625 Pearl Street, Boulder Come hear Peruvian artisans Ayde Riveros (finger puppet maven!) and Evangelina Pizaros’ compelling stories of their turbulent lives and how Fair Trade has helped them achieve economic and social stability. They will be at Momentum from 1-3pm creating crafts, selling products, and sharing their stories. Momentum will be honoring the work of Mothers Acting Up (MAU) with 10% of the day’s profits. This extra special May day at Momentum will conclude with a wine and fair trade chocolate reception from 3 to 7 pm for all who believe that each of us can make the world a better place one step at a time. Come celebrate with us!

Saturday, May 9 Longmont Moms Go Green for Mother’s Day! Homemade, organic potluck 6:30pm Contact Holly for to RSVP and for directions in Longmont: hollyaneff at hotmail.com Longmont Moms Go Green, a MAU Chapter, hosts speakers each month on topics such as: green investing and interior design, eco-cooking, permaculture, and zero waste home. Join in some Mother’s Day weekend renewal to the commitment to live a sustainable life for the health of the planet and the future of the world’s children. We’ll watch “The Eleventh Hour” with Leonardo DiCaprio and discuss ways to live more simply, consume less, and preserve nature.

Sunday, May 10 Mother’s Day Walk in Niwot! 9am Beginning at Left Hand Grange Park to Niwot Market, Niwot Join us for a festive morning walk to Stand for the World’s Children, with moms, dads, kids, dogs, friends and neighbors. At the end of the walk we’ll sign and decorate messages to Congress, asking lawmakers to prioritize kids. There’ll be opportunities to help a school in Uganda, ideas for inspiring kids to service, and plenty of coffee & MAU Mother’s Day cake. See you there! For more information email Kathy, Michelle or Linda at niwot@mothersactingup.org

Monday, May 11 Big Screen Premiere The Moment local action . . . global change Monday ~ May 11th 6:30 pm Main Boulder Public Library Gallery, Auditorium & the Channel 8 studio 1000 Canyon Boulevard, Boulder Mothers Acting Up, The City of Boulder’s Office of Environmental Affairs & Channel 8 invite you to celebrate the premiere of our new TV show The Moment The debut of The Moment will be accompanied by comedian Jeff Wozer and the fabulous Beth Osnes, appetizers & dessert, information & door prizes, and live taping in Channel 8 studios. Come celebrate this new show with your kids, grandparents & neighbors and this zero waste reception & event. Get your dose of good news and inspirations for the week!

Sunday, May 17 Awakening the Dreamer Symposium 1 to 5 pm (Limited space available) Center for Conscious Living, 1637 28th Street, just west of the Q’doba in Boulder To RSVP or for more information contact: Register online at www.awakeningthedreamer.org For questions, contact: Erica Shafroth at 303-473-0108 Mothers Acting Up is teaming up with a very exciting grass roots, social/political movement gaining momentum across the country and across the globe. The mission for the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium is to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on the planet. View the introductory video at http://awakeningthedreamer.org/content/view/115/135/

Tuesday, May 19 10:00am Jewelry Show to Benefit MAU! Join Janna for a morning playdate and Silpada show to benefit MAU! Sparrow Gabriel has generously offered to hold this show and donate 10% of all sales this day to MAU!!! Stop by anytime between 10 and noon. You may also check out the catalog on the web at http://www.mysilpada.com/sparrow.gabriel and email orders to Janna. We will also be collecting signature post cards to be delivered to our members of congress on May 29. Please stop by to sign a card if you have not signed one already! These cards will ask our M.O.C. to put children first in public policy! Please also visit the site http://www.standfortheworldschildren.org and sign the online pledge. We will also have some great FREE Mothers Acting Up stuff to give away! Don't miss it! :) Email jannavance at gmail dot com for directions!

Friday, May 29 (1st Day of Summer Vacation) STAND FOR THE WORLD’S CHILDREN: A field trip to our Members of Congress 9:30 to 3:30 pm (possible to join the trip for half a day) Meet at 2025 16th Street, Boulder Get on the BUS with Mothers Acting Up, New Era Colorado, and the local High School Peace Jam Groups as we visit Rep. Betsy Markey and Jared Polis AND Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall. Be a part of presenting this year’s agenda on behalf of the world’s children. Lunch will be provided, bring snacks and a reusable water bottle. Read about the campaign and RSVP for the trip at www.standfortheworldschildren.org.

Mothers Acting Up (MAU) is a locally grown organization uniting 1 million mothers to advocate on behalf of the world’s children. MAU inspires, educates and engages mothers - a gigantic force to be reckoned with - to prioritize children in our corporate and public policies. MAU believes that when mothers lead, generations of global citizens will follow. For more info visit www.mothersactingup.org

Meetings This Week

2008-12-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Please join us for our one or all of these local events, coming soon!

Mothers Acting Up and the Boulder Bookstore will host a panel discussion, "Inspiring Mother Voices." Wednesday, December 3rd at 7:30 pm. Join us for a conversation on what mother* leadership looks like, featuring Shari MacDonald Strong, editor of The Maternal is Political, co-founder Juliana Forbes of Mothers Acting Up and creator of The Moment, a calendar and guide for advocating, and Amie Brooke Nelson, currently writing Inspiring Mothers. Mothers* all over the world are doing incredible work to inspire, educate and engage their communities -- come learn about their work. The Boulder Bookstore is located at 1107 Pearl Street in Boulder.
What will more than likely be our last planning meeting at PlayGrounds Cafe, before they close their doors, will take place Monday, December 8th at 10:00 am. Please come share your ideas for a sustainable holiday season and your dreams for our newest members of congress and administration! PlayGrounds is located at 4550 Broadway in North Boulder.
The next meeting of the Longmont Mothers Acting Up chapter, Longmont Moms Go Green, will be Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00 pm at Holly's House. We will share ideas on how to have a green holiday (most of my experience comes from Christmas, but I'd love to hear any ideas on Hanukah, Kwanzah, etc.) We will discuss green gifts, wrapping ideas, etc. We'll also share ideas for recycled/homemade gifts. Please RSVP to and request directions from Holly.

We hope to see you soon!

In spirited partnership,

The MAU Mamas

To order your 2009 MAU Handbook/Calendar, use this link.

Donations Needed This Week for Orphanage

2008-11-09T08:10:00.002-07:00

Hello MAU Members,

My name is Lesley. I am a new adoptive mom and just attended my first Boulder MAU meeting. Our adoption agency is starting up a brand new child care home/orphanage in Ethiopia. It is not associated with any church or religion. As you can imagine orphans in Ethiopia typically deal with malnutrition, poverty, lack of material resources and not enough care providers. This child care home would be different and the children would have a higher quality of life. I can personally attest to how poor the conditions are in foreign orphanages. Donations can't be mailed directly to these orphanages as they will disappear due to corruption. A staff member has to accompany a giant humanitarian aid box on an airplane when it can be arranged a few times a year.

You can help and make a difference. Below is a list of items needed that I am collecting for our adoption agency. I will amass all the donations and arrange a pick up date here in Boulder with our agency. For this reason I can't arrange for them to be tax deductible for you. If you want to have them be tax deductible you will have to contact the adoption agency directly and hand deliver the items to the Denver area.

Please e-mail me directly if you have questions, want more details and would like directions to my house where you can arrange to leave your donations. I need all the items by the 12th of November as the staff member is leaving for Ethiopia this month.

In Longmont, donations can be dropped off at the Tuesday meeting at Janna's house (email jannavance at gmail dot com for directions).

Clothes should be clean, in good condition and be suitable for a warmer climate. Toys should be plastic and not have batteries. Medications should be unopened/sealed and in original packaging.

Thank you so much for your help,
Lesley
lesleybird at prodigy dot net

Clothing:
For both genders, age 0-7. Lightly worn OK
Underwear
Socks
Shoes- lightly worn
Jackets
Pants
Shirts- long and short sleeved
Onesies
Pajamas

Linens:
Sheets for twin sized beds
Sheets for cribs
Pillowcases
Pillows
Bath Towels
Dish Towels

Food items:
Formula
Baby Food
Cereal
Fruit Snacks
Granola Bars

Kitchen:
Pots and Pans- big and medium
Eating Utensils
Cooking Utensils
Can Opener
Dishwashing Soap

Bathroom:
Body Wash- Liquid
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Shower Mat
Hand Soap
Shampoo and Conditioner

Medical Items:
Children's chewable vitamins
Children's liquid vitamins with iron
Vitamin C
Band-Aids
Adult Tylenol®
Children's Tylenol®
Motrin® or Advil®
Pedialyte®
Pediasure®
Robitussin®
Children’s Benadryl
A& D Ointment®
Antifungal cream
Cortisone cream
Triple antibiotic cream
Vaseline

Misc:
Diapers
Baby Wipes
Bottles
Bottle Nipples
Toys

Just Vote!

2008-10-21T14:55:00.001-06:00

Dear Friend:

We are writing to ask for help in recruiting 400 volunteers on Election Day, November 4, 2008.

Just Vote Colorado (formerly Fair Vote Colorado) established in 2004, is a nonpartisan collaborative election protection program that works with election officials to remove barriers to voting prior to Election Day. JVC engages in voter education efforts, runs a hotline and website where voters can find basic information and report problems, and organizes hundreds of volunteers to serve as poll monitors. After each general election, JVC analyzes voters’ experiences and issues a post-election report with policy recommendations.

Here’s how you can help:

1) Help spread the word! Promote our toll free number: 1-866-OUR-VOTE, post our logo and website on your home page, tell your members, colleagues, friends, and family about Just Vote Colorado.

2) Volunteer-- Be a poll monitor. Give two or more hours on Election Day to help voters and to survey the voting experience. Be a post-election monitor. Observe the post-election voting machine audits and ensure accuracy in processing ballots.

Visit to sign up.

For more information, please contact Just Vote Colorado at 303-292-2163. Thank you!

Warm regards,

Joe Richey, Voting Rights Coordinator
Just Vote Colorado, Colorado Common Cause

JVC steering committee includes Colorado Common Cause, League of Women Voters of Colorado, Colorado Lawyers Committee, the Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People, and the Latina Initiative. JVC partners with Election Protection, the nation’s largest non partisan voter protection coalition.

JVC is not affiliated with or promoting any candidate or issue.

Boulder Kick Off Meeting 10/6

2008-10-02T07:49:00.001-06:00

Please join us for our first Boulder area meeting of the fall season! We will meet at 10:00 am on Monday, October 6^th at PlayGrounds Café. Light snacks will be provided and admission to PlayGrounds Cafe is free for you and your wee ones when you join us for this meeting. We will be formulating a plan for the upcoming year for MAU in Boulder and we need your help! If you can RSVP to Janna, it will help with set up for the meeting, but it's not required.

How can you get involved?

We need teams of focused volunteers to:

Get the calendar into the hands of every mother! This election season, mothers are engaging on a national and international level like never before. Let's make sure they have the inspiration and tools to move from concern to action on behalf of the world's children. Our goal is to get the calendar into 50 local shops in Colorado. A team of 5 mavens could make it so!

Take your daughter (and son) to the Polls. MAU has joined the White House Project in this campaign and we need volunteers to hand out pledge cards and stickers to moms who pledge to bring their children to the polls. MAU will also provide scorecards from Children's Defense Fund, League of Conservation Voters and the One Campaign. Pass the cards out and your child's school, your stroller fitness class, etc. MAU has also been invited to be part of New Era's Trick or Vote campaign.

Organize Field Trips to our NEW members of Congress in 2009. Help decide when to visit and to set the agenda.

Reclaim Mother's Day! Boulder's BEST event on Mother's Day. Many hands make light work. Sign up to help with tables, the parade, kid's activities, the program, music or the cake!

Tabling Team! Learn to spread the word of MAU at local festivals or talk with potential MAUs in neighboring communities. We'll have one brief get together complete with snacks. Coming up very soon: MAU will be tabling at the Bioneers conference.

PR Team! Spread the word about local gatherings to schools, the press, etc. Two hours a month will go along way!

Action Team! Boulder is long on action and short on time. Help decide which actions Boulder Mamas will engage in over the course of the year. Chalking for Peace! Stand Up to End Global Poverty! Join Up for Education for All children by 2015.

Help organize MAU gatherings! Monthly or weekly play dates at PlayGrounds Cafe? Bookgroup MAU style? Moms night out? The sky's the limit!

MAU is organized around YOU and what you can accomplish with your kids at your hip and your life swirling around you - and what we all can accomplish as mothers working together. All of our actions are peaceful and our motivations are pure. MAU is here to help you find your strengths and facilitate sharing them with the community in order to make children a priority in our communities and in the world. Come hang with us on Monday and help us all discover the fun we can have when we work together to make a tremendous difference in the world in our 08 - 09 season! Questions? Email Janna or Joellen.

In spirited partnership,

The Local Boulder MAU Mamas

Birth

2008-10-01T08:18:00.001-06:00

I am the mother of two beautiful, healthy children with very different birth stories. During my first pregnancy, I was the “good” patient. I went to see my conventional Obstetrician at the specified times; I attended the hospital lead birthing preparation class; and, I took my prenatal vitamins. I planned on having a natural birth at the local hospital. However, the birth of my oldest son did not go as planned. (I am very aware that we cannot “plan” how birth will happen, but, we as women can have expectations for how we would like to have things occur and how we would like to be treated.) The birthing process took 35 hours. During those hours, the on-call doctor failed to hear my concerns about my stalling birth and did not attend to me personally.

I felt powerless, unsupported, and exhausted. After 24 hours of labor, I agreed to an epidural, which lead an avalanche of other interventions. There I was lying flat on my back giving birth to my son. Thankfully, he was born vaginally and healthy. Following the initial bliss of being a new mother and being thankful that he was born healthy, my anger and resentment grew. It was an awakening.

When I became pregnant the second time, I was afraid. I didn’t want another medically managed birth, but I didn’t know how to avoid it. I read every book I could on natural birth and grew strong through reading the natural birth stories of other women. I changed doctor’s offices, twice. After a prenatal yoga class, I came across a flyer for a play called “BIRTH” that discussed the different birth stories of women in our country and supported woman-centered birth practices. I was intrigued. The play was fantastically powerful. I left there knowing that I was going to have a homebirth. I hired a homebirth midwife and my daughter was born in my bedroom. I experienced truly woman/mother-centered care. My prenatal care involved building a trusting partnership with my midwife through talking about nutrition, exercise, emotional health, and any thing else I needed to discuss. The birth was self-directed and peaceful. I felt completely supported and loved. The experience was fabulous.

As women we deserve to be treated with respect throughout our pregnancies and birth. We should be able to birth as we please and be educated on the risks that could occur in all environments. Birth is a natural, beautiful process that should not be corrupted by unnecessary medical practices. It the voice of women that will encourage a change to occur in the medical world, “BIRTH” magnifies that voice. Please support “Birth” in doing so by attending one of the local plays and events. We owe it to our daughters.

www.boldaction.org

www.humanizingbirth.org

By Nichole Jones

Member, Longmont Moms Go Green (Longmont MAU Chapter)

Make love, not war: Women rule the world in new CU musical 'Go Lysistrata!'

2008-09-29T15:56:00.001-06:00

On Nov. 4, Cecilia J. Pang wants your commitment. She wants you to give up something and focus on the big issues that face our country. She wants you to say no to sex and yes to voting.

Cecilia J. Pang approved this message.

Pang laughs out loud when she talks about her idea to make Nov. 4 "No Sex Day." But she's not kidding.

"We can give up sex for one day," says Pang, a CU professor of theater who's currently directing the musical "Go Lysistrata!" on campus. "We're trying to promote people thinking consciously about the election on that day."

Earlier this month, when Pang first broached the idea of a No Sex Day with the cast of "Go Lysistrata!," not everyone was on board. But soon they got it, Pang says.

"I think it's a great idea," says Amy Luna, a senior CU theater major who plays the title role in the musical. "Anything that can help people pay attention to what's going on in their community and around the world is good. And it really fits perfectly with this play."

"Go Lysistrata!" is Pang's adaptation of ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes' anti-war play "Lysistrata." The story imagines the women of warring Troy and Athens joining together to use sex as leverage in order to stop the Peloponnesian War. Their message to the men: You're not getting any until you lay down your weapons.

Pang first directed a version of "Lysistrata" when she was a graduate student at the University of California-Berkeley in the late 1980s. Billy Wolfe was in the cast and wrote the music for that version.

When Pang wanted to revisit the adaptation and fashion a longer musical version to open CU's mainstage season this year, she decided to find Wolfe. A Google search led her to Austin, Texas, where Wolfe is a working musician and the musical director of Ballet Austin.

Wolfe wrote 19 new songs for the CU production, which opens Thursday. He spent several days in August in Boulder and taught the cast and musical director Trent Hines the music.

The score includes R&B, gospel, hip-hop and contemporary Broadway-style songs. Taking a cue from Aristophanes' original and Pang's adaptation, the lyrics Wolfe wrote are playful.

In one song, "If Women Ruled The World," the verses wonder what it would be like if women did indeed rule the world.

It goes: "All movies would be romantic comedies ... the fashion police would take over, the price of phone calls would be lower ... and there would be no more war."

"It was really fun to write," Wolfe said. "If it wasn't fun, then I stopped. It needs to be fun and immediate and crazy."

And funny.

"Aristophanes is the father of all comedy," Pang says. "If he were alive today, he would probably be writing for 'Saturday Night Live.'"

Luna points out Aristophanes was able to make sharp social commentary by delivering it in comedic form.

"The politicians were being made fun of all of a sudden, and yet they were laughing at what was being said about them," Luna says.

Pang describes the 75-minute show as a bawdy romp. The bawdiness comes through both in the text and visually. Yet, despite the humor and raunchy edge, the musical carries a serious message, just like Aristophanes' original.

"He wrote 'Lysistrata' 21 years into the Peloponnesian War," Pang says. "He wrote it out of deep grief."

In 2002, when the U.S. and a handful of allies were gearing up to invade Iraq, two New York-based actresses conceived of a movement they called The Lysistrata Project. By March 2003, roughly 800 theater groups had joined on and produced various versions of Aristophanes' play in 43 different countries as a way to promote a message of peace. The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art was home to a local production.

Five years later, Pang and her cast talked about the Project, and about "Go Lysistrata's!" continuing relevance.

"We are currently in the sixth year of an unpopular war; and as the (U.S.) election is approaching, the play reminds us that we have the power to speak, to think and to act," Pang says.

Beyond the play's message, Pang came up with another way to "think and act" -- by promoting No Sex Day on Nov. 4 -- when she read a recent issue of Time Magazine. The issue featured a story detailing 21 ways citizens can serve their country. One suggestion was to give one day of service.

That's when Pang thought of giving up one day of sex and focusing on political issues. It's a twist on the action the women take in "Go Lysistrata!"

According to her contract, Pang isn't allowed to use her professional standing at CU -- and the play or the planned No Sex Day -- to advocate for specific candidates in the coming U.S. elections. But she can encourage students and others to get involved in the political process.

She and the CU production team plan to promote the Nov. 4 No Sex Day in the "Go Lysistrata!" program and with signage at the theater. They're hoping the idea catches on.

"We're just trying to spread the word -- avoid distraction and get out and vote," Pang says.

By Mark Collins

If you go
What: CU Department of Theatre presents "Go Lysistrata!"
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Oct. 8-11, 2 p.m. Oct. 12
Where: CU Mainstage Theatre, CU campus, Boulder
Tickets: $14-$17
Info: 303-492-8181 or www.cutheatre.org

Longmont Meeting 9/23

2008-09-20T16:05:00.000-06:00

Please join us for our next meeting to discuss ideas on how to make green living easy and fun for Longmont families.

We will meet Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm at Panera Bread on Ken Pratt in Longmont. This meeting will feature a guest speaker from the Bicycle Longmont organization. The topic of this meeting will be how to easily get around town while reducing our carbon footprint. We will also discuss how to overcome some of the hurdles of bicycling in Longmont with our guest speaker - a local mom who has been successfully biking around our city with her family.

Please RSVP to Janna j at jannavance dot com. Last minute additions are ok.

In spirited partnership,

The Longmont MAU / Moms Go Green

Colorado Run for Congo

2008-07-17T22:06:00.000-06:00

RUN FOR CONGO WOMEN

Registration is up!!!!!!

To register for the 2008 Run for Congo Women go to www.runforcongowomen.org/colorado today!

Again, it is a 5k/10k run OR hike. You decide!! Registration is $35 and includes a t-shirt.

We have heaps of great raffle prizes including Rockies tickets, Sherpani bags, Global Girlfriend items, a registration for the 2009 BolderBoulder, a gift from Outdoor Divas and more!!!

Join us Saturday September 13th at Bear Creek Lake Park in Morrison! Race starts at 8AM, there will be speakers and drum circle from 7-8. Raffle to follow the event!

Please invite your friends by passing this invitation to everyone you know in Colorado!! Thanks!

www.runforcongowomen.org/colorado

A Woman's Work

2008-07-16T20:15:00.000-06:00

With so many worthy and important causes to support - both locally and globally - I often find the opportunities to give of my time and money a bit overwhelming. Yet, when I hear of a group that is helping to improve the lives of others, my ears perk up and my heart takes note. One such organization in the Longmont area is called "A Woman's Work."

Research shows that social investment in women reduces poverty, raises productivity, and accelerates economic growth. With this in mind, a group of motivated women set out to help families and strengthen their community by providing for women in the St. Vrain Valley. They realized that by donating their time and coordinating efforts, they could help make a huge difference in those families' lives. So, they began raising funds and creating a network of people willing to donate services. Then they contacted the local social service organizations and began taking referrals.

Some of the women had simple needs: eyeglasses, in order to continue to work or go to school; money for a bus pass because they can't afford transportation to work; childcare while they recovered from an illness or accident; English lessons so they could become more productive and provide for their families. Others have had more costly needs, like life-saving surgery or payment of rent while they recover from a disastrous relationship. If you read their testimonials on the AWW website, you will be reminded of how fortunate we are to have our basic needs met on a daily basis.

Remarkably, A Woman's Work has been able to provide the necessary funds through individual donations and only two fundraisers per year. I just attended their Spring wine tasting and auction, where I am told they exceeded their monetary goal for this year and passed last year's totals by more than $5,000. That sum by itself could be what it takes to turn a woman's life around and help her family survive. These are not loans, mind you, but gifts. The recipients are not asked to payback AWW in any way, but to perform an act of kindness for someone else in need, when they are able.

In the end, we all have to listen to our hearts and decided where to focus our time and energies. May I suggest that you visit the website of A Women's Work (www.awomanswork.org) and decide if this is one of the places where your heart is calling you.

Tell the G8 to follow through...

2008-07-15T22:08:00.000-06:00

The Financial Times ran an article yesterday 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 below to sign our =
petition:
http://www.one.org/2008g8/o.pl?id=3D389-23978-3sH2D_x =
 &t=3D2

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=E2=80=99t =
happen if the G8 backtrack on their commitments.

Please tell the G8 leaders that aid works and is desperately needed:
http://www.one.org/2008g8/o.pl?id=3D389-23978-3sH2D_x =
 &t=3D3

Thank you for your voice,

Josh Peck, ONE.org

Mindful Mama

2008-07-14T22:34:00.000-06:00

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MINDFUL MAMA?

Check out this exclusive interview with Ani Difranco!

http://mindfulmamamagazine.com/media/p/26.aspx

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

Join us on PulseWire

2008-07-07T22:13:00.000-06:00

http://beta.pulsewire.net/groups/1953

Longmont Moms Go Green - June 26 Meeting

2008-06-20T08:43:00.002-06:00

It’s a Party…a Healthy Home Party!

Please join us for a fun event to learn how to create a healthy home environment for your family
Thursday, June 26
7:00 pm
Janna's House

THE ISSUE: Never before in human history have we seen such a dramatic rise in chronic childhood diseases and illness as we do today in the United States. Currently over 125 Million children and adults suffer from diseases and health conditions such as:
• Cancer
• Autism
• Asthma
• Birth Defects
• ADD / ADHD
• Learning and Developmental Disabilities.

Credible scientific evidence increasingly points to environmental hazards and household chemicals as causing and contributing to many of these diseases.

THE SOLUTION: You can create a healthy environment for children with easy steps for reducing your family’s exposure to common contaminants. With the help of Healthy Child Healthy World, in partnership with LUNA, our Healthy Home Party will provide fun and actionable ideas to manage your life in a safer, greener and healthier way.

Please RSVP to Janna = j at jannavance dot com for more info and directions.

Special Delivery

2008-06-20T08:42:00.001-06:00

Earlier this month, 1Sky staff and volunteers delivered your Mother's Day murals to congressional offices in Washington, DC. Be sure to check out this video our fabulous interns produced featuring the delivery!

http://www.1sky.org/mothers-day-delivery

Walking Lightly... A benefit for Mothers Acting Up

2008-06-16T12:30:00.000-06:00

For his 75th birthday, Len Barron presents, Walking Lightly… A Portrait of Einstein
A benefit for Mothers Acting Up

Boulder, CO, May 30, 2008 – In honor of his 75th birthday, long time Boulder resident Len Barron will perform his legendary play Walking Lightly … A Portrait of Einstein at Boulder High School Auditorium on Saturday, June 21 at 8 pm. This event will be a fundraiser for Mothers Acting Up, a national organization he has supported and volunteered with since it was launched in Boulder in 2002.

“Walking Lightly” explores both the genius and the humanity of the illustrious physicist, Albert Einstein, whose work reshaped our understanding of space, time and gravity. This 80-minute, one-man performance receives high praise for its lighthearted, informative and human story of one of the great men of the twentieth century. Since 1989, Barron’s portrayal of Time magazine’s “Man of the Century” has continued to delight a wide range of audiences throughout the country. Barron believes, "The root of Einstein’s character was a childlike quality he maintained for all his years."

Mothers Acting Up was started by four mothers in Boulder and has spread to all fifty states and twenty-three countries. MAU inspires and mobilizes mothers to advocate on behalf of the world’s children.

Boulder High School Auditorium, Saturday, June 21, 8:00 pm
Tickets Available in Boulder at:
Jacque Michelle, 2670 Broadway
Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St
In Denver: Hermitage Antiquarian Bookshop, 290 Fillmore
Cost: $20 & $15 seniors/students
For more information, contact: Joellen Raderstorf, joellen@mothersactingup.org, 303-474-1286.

Generously sponsored by: Diane Israel, Dave Query, Polly and Mark Addison and Roche Colorado

Len Barron embodies the characteristics of an individual who lives a life of integrity and imagination. He presents a model of living for all of us to follow, one that emphasizes the importance of fairness, beauty, and playfulness… he reminds us that community, joy and connections to one another and to our place are what matters.
- Dr. Rebecca Lucas, Maryville College

The response of Len Barron’s audience was extraordinary. All ages were entranced by his style and wit and educated by his information.
- Michael Alexander, Boston Science Museum

Your “Walking Lightly … A Portrait of Einstein” theatre performance brought out the warmth, humor, and depth of character of Einstein. So much so that the audience could believe he was right there in person.
- Roberta Depp, Mamie Dowd Eisenhower Public Library

Janna and Lillian on the Little Screen

2008-05-12T08:13:00.002-06:00

Early and Often... Press for Mothers Acting Up's Reclaiming Events!

2008-05-08T14:41:00.005-06:00

On 9NEWS's Rocky Mountain Moms Site:

http://content.rockymountainmoms.com/moms/momsarticle.aspx?storyid=90991

The Colorado Daily:

http://www.coloradodaily.com/news/2008/may/05/the-mix-your-town-mothers-mau-parade-an-annual-a/

The Daily Camera:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/may/10/more-than-merely-mothers-day/

Boulder Weekly:

http://www.boulderweekly.com/?site_id=619&page_id=21224&id_sub=21224

And after the parade,

The Colorado Daily:

http://www.coloradodaily.com/news/2008/may/11/moms-peaceful-activism-practiced-acting-up-team/

The Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=8606

The Daily Camera:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/may/12/making-a-statement-marchers-celebrate-moms-at/

and:

http://dailycamera.com/photos/galleries/2008/may/11/moms-acting-parade/

RECLAIM Mother's Day All Week!

2008-04-29T22:37:00.003-06:00

Here it is, the schedule:

Saturday May 3rd
12:00 - 2:00pm : GIRLCOTT at Rebecca's Herbal Apothocary, 1227 Spruce Street, Boulder. Celebrate Fair Trade, organic & local gifts for Mother's Day! Activities in conjunction with www.fairtradetownusa.org and www.transfairusa.org 10% of all purchases will be donated to MAU!
2:00 - 3:30pm : Stilt Walking Workshop at Boulder Public Library. Learn to walk on stilts for the Mother's Day Parade!
4:00pm : (M)other : a free performance of Beth Osnes' provocative show

Friday May 9th
5:00 - 7:00pm : GIRLCOTT at Momentum, 1625 Pearl Street, Boulder. Celebrate Fair Trade, organic & local gifts for Mother's Day! Activities in conjunction with www.fairtradetownusa.org and www.transfairusa.org 10% of all purchases will be donated to MAU!

Saturday May 10th
8:00am - 2:00pm : GIRLCOTT at Boulder Farmer's Market. CELEBRATE WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY at the Farmer's Market and Momentum. Sample products and help Boulder become the next Fair Trade Town! Celebrate Fair Trade, organic & local gifts for Mother's Day! Activities in conjunction with www.fairtradetownusa.org and www.transfairusa.org 10% of all purchases will be donated to MAU!

Sunday May 11th
11:30am : Stroller & Wagon Decorationg in front of the Boulder Public Library at 9th and Canyon
1:00pm : Parade Begins
1:00 - 3:00pm : Events at the Pearl Street Mall (in front of the Court House), including face painting, music, creative movement, action tables and MusiCare for the kids! Also, grab a slice of cake and enjoy the day!

2nd Annual Great Jeans Give Away

2008-04-28T21:55:00.000-06:00

In celebration of International No-Diet Day, the Boulder Youth Body Alliance is partnering with The National Pediatric AIDS Network and CU Student Wellness to host the 2nd Annual Great Jeans Giveaway. Saturday May 3, 2008 @ 10:00am at the north end of 29th Street Mall, outside in Macy's Plaza. Drop off a pair of jeans that no longer fits and receive an incentive book of coupons from local retailers. All jeans will be turned into quilts for kids with HIV/AIDS. More info: 303-444-0722.

GreaterGood.org

2008-04-25T22:35:00.000-06:00

By Kelye Lotz

One of MAU's principles (and this month's focus) is to "follow the money." Being educated about what our purchases are funding is as important as knowing the ingredients in the food we feed our family. This can be a daunting task, but there are a few places we can go and know that without even spending a dime we are serving the greater good. One such marketplace is the collection of websites supported by GreaterGood.org.

As an organization, their goal is: "to connect those looking to help with those who are on the ground helping." To that end, they have created a family of websites dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people, animals and the planet. Just by visiting the websites and clicking on the prompt, the sponsors of each site donate money (or food, or books, or free mammograms, etc.) to those in need. In addition, the reader sees the names of those socially responsible sponsors, and has the opportunity to visit their websites, to shop there or donate …or not. There is no obligation, and your name is not added to any spam or mailing lists.

GreaterGood.org is a big supporter of Fair Trade businesses and practices. They have their own virtual gift shop where everything you buy benefits the cause designated by the shopper. Since learning about these sites, I have not only done my own gift shopping there, but have requested GreaterGood gift certificates for my own birthday and holidays. People love to give gifts that they know will not only please the recipient, but will make the world a better place.

With so many great causes and giving opportunities, it would be easy to forget these websites unless…you make it your homepage, and remember to click every day for the greater good. It takes less than two minutes to click through all six websites, and you can start your day knowing that you've already made the world a better place before even checking your e-mail. To get started, visit any of the following, and make one of them your homepage. The rest will appear as tabs. It is up to you how many or how often you want to "click to give." Visit: www.the breastcancersite.com, www.thechildhealthsite.com, www.therainforestsite.com, www.theliteracysite.com, www.theanimalrescuesite.com, www.thehungersite.com, and click 'till it feels good!

By Kelye Lotz

RECLAIM Mother's Day

2008-04-23T22:41:00.000-06:00

Acting Up (MAU) will present their 7th annual Reclaim Mother’s Day Events and Parade. MAU’s Mother’s Day events are inspired by the life, words and actions of Julia Ward Howe. After the Civil War, Julia called for a day when mothers would unite across boundaries – of nationality, race, religion or political affiliation – to protect our global family. This year, MAU will present an entire week of engaging and inspiring events that are free and open to the public. These events, beginning on May 3rd, include a Stilt Walking Workshop, Presentation of (M)other – an intimate, funny and provocative theatrical performance about moving from concern to action - and Girlcotts celebrating local business that offer fair trade, organic and locally made gifts. For more information on these and other events, visit www.bouldermau.blogspot.com

These events will culminate in the Parade taking place on Mother’s Day, May 11. The festivities begin outside the Boulder Public Library at 9th and Canyon. At 11:30am, mothers and others will be able to decorate strollers, wagons and tricycles with supplies provided by MAU. The parade will begin at the library at 1:00 PM, led by the Raging Grannies, and will end on the Pearl Street Mall. At the Mall, participants will be invited to take part in kid-friendly activities, explore action tables, eat cake and be entertained by music provided by Ancestral Voices and Danae Shanti. This can’t-miss event promises to build on its strong foundation of local families and visionaries and outshine Reclaiming Mother’s Day Parades of years past. Sponsors of the event include: 8 Days a Week, A Place to B Studios, Ancestral Voices, Diana Caile @ Homestead Real Estate, LLC, The Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado, Momentum, The Painted Poppy, Play Grounds Café, Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary, Sweet Leaf Teas, Whole Foods and Wolf & Lyon Architects. Some of the local organizations that will be tabling include: Boulder Friends of UNICEF, Friendship Bridge, Global Education Fund, Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, Run for Congo Women and New Era Colorado who will be registering voters.

Juliana on WOSU!

2008-04-18T14:00:00.001-06:00

Our very own Juliana Forbes was on Central Ohio's NPR affiliate, WOSU this morning! Listen here: http://www.wosu.org/radio/radio-open-line/?archive=1&date=04/18/2008
Wonderful job Juliana!!!

Speaking of Composting...

2008-04-17T08:15:00.002-06:00

"Boulder residents are one step closer to being able to leave kitchen scraps, grass clippings and yard waste in a sealed curbside container to be picked up and made into compost rather than going to the landfill." For the full story: http://dailycamera.com/news/2008/apr/16/curbside-compost-nears-reality/

Composting Workshops!

2008-04-16T07:39:00.000-06:00

Workshops are being offered in Boulder, Broomfield and Longmont!
For most workshops, space is limited to the first 30 people.
Please RSVP for the workshop you are interested in attending.
To see a description of the workshop and directions to the location of the workshop: http://www.bouldercounty.org/recycling/compost/workshops.htm

Social Investments?

2008-04-03T07:19:00.002-06:00

Did you know that you can invest your money in a Green and Socially responsible way? Co-Op America has set up a nice chart to help you navigate your investments in this direction. Check it out here: http://www.coopamerica.org/socialinvesting/mfpc/index.cfm

World's Biggest Lesson

2008-03-31T07:24:00.002-06:00

Come stand up for education for children across the globe and listen to Dr. Karambu Ringera speak of this basic human right. Join us on Thursday, April 10th, 2008, 11:00 am. Meet, greet, listen and speak out at the Norlin Quad on CU Campus in Boulder, CO. (in front of the library).

Participants will have opportunity to sign a letter to the head of 2008 G8 Summit in Japan.
There is a movement across the globe, lead by the Global Campaign for Education. The target is to join millions in learning about the importance of education and the barriers that young people face all over the world in accessing quality schooling. Already confirmed is the participation of Boulder Valley School, Creekside Elementary in Boulder. Their entire population of 1st-5th grade (about 300) will be walking 3 miles to and from the event; honoring the importance “the walk of education” is to our world’s children.

Join school children and advocates of all shapes and sizes in launching an awareness-raising event to call for basic education for all children. Led by Karumbu Ringera and local youth leaders, we will gather to send an exuberant message to the world's leaders to keep their promise to the world's children for universal primary education for all by 2015! Participants will be invited to take this important message back to the classroom and join in the world’s largest simultaneous lesson on April 23rd at 9am MST. Let’s get into the Guiness Book of World Records for “The World’s Biggest Lesson.”

Presented by:
RESULTS (http://www.resultscolorado.org), Mothers Acting Up, Friendship Bridge, Boulder Friends of UNICEF, Global Education Fund, & Engineers without Borders (CU Chapter)

On April 1st, Help Curb Fossil Foolishness

2008-03-13T07:55:00.001-06:00

April 1st is Fossil Fool's Day. We all do foolish things sometimes, but many of us are working hard to stop being Fossil Fools. However, a number of business leaders and elected officials are still foolishly pushing for a fossilized economy rather than promoting clean, green energy. Help Co-op America, Rainforest Action Network, the Energy Action coalition, and the New American Dream pinpoint these fools: Click http://www.coopamerica.org/takeaction/fossilfool/ to vote on the worst Fossil Fool, and you'll be entered into a contest to receive a free year's worth of renewable energy from Co-op America. No joke!

Paid Family Leave?

2008-03-08T21:53:00.002-07:00

I received this in an email and thought it should be passed on... enjoy!

**************************************************************

Did you know it takes eight to ten hours per day to breastfeed a newborn?[1]

As a mother of four, I can attest that I spent many long hours breastfeeding, especially in my children's first weeks of life. So, the question of paid family leave is personal for me. How can a mother be successful in those early make-or-break days if she's working long hours, feeling pressured to get back to work quickly, or wondering how to make ends meet if she doesn't return fast because she has no paid time off?

The Presidential candidates talk about bringing new ideas and leadership to this country. Some of them even have plans in place to enact paid family leave, but none of those promises will become policy unless the candidates know that moms are paying attention -- and what we want is action.

Tell the leading Presidential candidates that moms in America need paid family leave.

http://www.momsrising.org/email_the_candidates

According to a new study just released by the U.S. Census Bureau [2], 49% of American mothers cobble together some sort of paid leave following childbirth by using a combination of sick days, vacation days, disability leave, and employer-provided maternity leave. A full 51% of new mothers lack any paid leave-so some take unpaid leave, some quit, some even lose their jobs.

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 8, is International Women's Day. A joint Harvard and McGill University study of over 170 countries found that the U.S. is one of only four countries that doesn't have any paid leave for new mothers.[3] This is a national disgrace.

The next president has a chance to right this wrong. But we need to get on their radar now, while they are courting the "mom" vote. Send an email to the leading Presidential candidates asking them, upon taking office, to make it a priority to pass national paid family leave.

http://www.momsrising.org/email_the_candidates

Please pass along this email to other moms, dads, and grandparents who want to see a more family-friendly America. We appreciate it and so do our babies!

Sincerely,

-- Nanette, Donna, Kristin, Joan, Anita, Mary, Katie, Roz, Andrea, and the MomsRising Team

[1] The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, by the La Leche League, contains a treasure trove of advice for new moms.

[2] U.S. Census Bureau, Maternity Leave and Employment Patterns: 1961-2003 http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p70-113.pdf

[3] For example, mothers in France get 10 weeks and mothers in Germany get 14 weeks of fully paid leave. See: http://www.contemporaryfamilies.org/subtemplate.php?t=pressReleases&ext=surveyfivecountries. See also: "The Work, Family, and Equity Index: How Does the U.S. Measure Up," by Jody Heyman, Allison Earle, and Jeffrey Hayes. http://www.mcgill.ca/files/ihsp/WFEIFinal2007.pdf; and "More Moms Take Paid Leave," by Cheryl Wetzstein, The Washington Times, February 26, 2008. http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/NATION/336107852

You have received this email because you are a supporter of MomsRising, if you would like to be removed from future mailings, click here to unsubscribe.

Like what we're doing? Donate: We're a bootstrap, low overhead, mom run organization. Your donations make the work of MomsRising possible--and we deeply appreciate your support. Every little bit counts. Donate today on our new, secure website.

Every Child Matters Training Institute, April 9-11, Denver

2008-02-29T07:29:00.002-07:00

We are happy to announce that a few spots are still available for Every Child Matters' first-ever training institute on how non-profit organizations can conduct 501c3 allowable activities to help make the needs of children and families a top priority during elections.

The Institute, scheduled to take place April 9-11, 2008, at the Doubletree Hotel in Denver, is aimed toward individuals and organizations in each state that want to increase their electoral activism on behalf of children.

As those who work with children know, a large "investment gap" has been allowed to grow in a wide variety of social and health programs; this gap is especially acute at the federal level, which typically has provided states 60-80% or more of all funds for non-public education related programs.

Because of our concern about this growing investment gap, and because we are seeking maximum participation by all states, we are offering the Institute free of charge. There is no registration fee and all meals at the conference are included. Your costs will be limited to travel and lodging.

The Institute is structured to provide a step-by-step process for creating a non-partisan, public education campaign directed at candidates, the media, the public, and those who work at child- and family-serving sites. Veteran campaigners, organizers, and other experts will provide the concrete information and tools to help you spotlight the needs of children and families using 501c3-allowable tactics and strategies.

Upon completing the Institute, you will have information needed to join in a nationwide, non-partisan campaign for children and families during the 2008 election cycle

If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Tony Larson, Institute Coordinator, at
202-223-8255 or at tlarson@everychildmatters.org.

Sincerely,

Michael Petit
President
Every Child Matters

Colorado Go Run

2008-02-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

I think this is just an absolutely fabulous resource for women who want to become more politically savvy. If you can attend, I'd love to hear all about it!

Get Trained. Go Run. March 28-30.

Our partner organization, The White House Project, is hosting their 4th annual Colorado Go Run, a political leadership training for women, and is inviting you to run!

Go Run is a weekend long training dedicated to equipping you, the future candidate, with the skills to run and win. The training aims to demystify the political process and inspire a richly diverse group of women in to the leadership pipeline. Go Run provides the nuts and bolts of running for political office by focusing on areas like communications, fundraising, and campaigning - skills you can use in your work and in your community up to the day you decide to run!

Go Run will inspire you to step into leadership. Go Run will inform you with the skills it takes to run and win. Go Run will equip you with mentors and a network of women helping women win. Speakers include State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, Lola Spradley first woman Speaker of the House and Polly Baca the first Latina elected to the state house. This training is for women at every stage, whether you are running this year, next year, in ten years or if you want to get more civically involved.

DATE:
March 28-30, 2008

LOCATION:
Inverness Hotel and Conference Center
200 Inverness Drive West
Englewood, CO

Apply online at The White House Project
Scholarships are available.

For more information contact Monica Mendoza at 303-204-2216 or at mmendoza@thewhitehouseproject.org

Conference on World Affairs: World's Biggest Lesson at CU Boulder April 10th

2008-02-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

World’s Biggest Lesson: Education is the answer!
Thursday, April 10, 11:15 pm in the Norlin Quad at the front entrance of the library
A concurrent event of the Conference on World Affairs

If you haven’t had a chance to read about the WORLD’S BIGGEST LESSON, visit these websites:
http://www.campaignforeducationusa.org/actionweek
http://www.campaignforeducation.org/
http://www.sendmyfriend.org

The action is to break the Guinness book of record for the biggest lesson held simultaneously and the day for that action will be April 23rd. It was easier with last years format as it did not need to be done on a specific day. My thought is that the CWA Biggest lesson could be a launch to get children, teachers and mothers/fathers to go back to their classrooms and join in the action on April 23rd (two weeks later) or we could pretend that the day is April 23rd. Send your thoughts.

We have a wonderful participant from CWA to lead the event, Karambu Ringera. Check out her bio here: http://www.colorado.edu/cwa/bios.html?id=769&year=2008

I feel like it would be hard to get everyone together for a meeting, so I’m suggesting we try to do as much as possible via email. Sub-groups may want to meet. Waiting to hear if I will have a wonderful CU person to assist me on this project.

In the meantime, here’s what I have confirmed so far:
Inviting schools: Eliza, Ingrid, Marlies and Camille & Karen (Creekside)
School district/school board: It would be great to put something out district wide about the CWA event and the day of action on April 23rd. Anyone want to schedule a meeting with Helayne Jones?
Media: TBA
Text for flyer and CWA program: Joellen
Sponsoring orgs: Mothers Acting Up, Global Education Fund, UNICEF, RESULTS and Friendship Bridge
Day of Program: Joellen and (who wants to help?)
Speakers at the event:
Introduce the event – Joellen
Youth representatives:
Creekside: (Camille and Karen to find, someone who attended last year)
Casey: (Carla could you invite one of the Peace Jam students?)
New Vista: (Erica, would you identify the right person for this?)
Teacher of the Biggest Lesson – from CWA Karambu Ringera

In Spirited Partnership,
Joellen

Boulder MAU Meeting Notes

2008-02-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

Today’s MAU Meeting

Reclaim Mother’s Day Parade Planning
MAU is gearing up for Reclaiming Mothers Day in 2008! Soon, we will be sending letters to businesses asking for sponsorship. Do you know of a business that may be interested? Let us know! Also, we will be offering table space to local non-profits working on behalf of the world’s children. The fee is $40 and includes a 4ft table space.
We are also open to ideas for a locally “famous” person to be a guest speaker at the Mothers Day event. Ideas?
Beth is in need of flat bed sheets in order to make more pants for stilt-walkers! If you have some to donate, please bring them to our next meeting or drop off on Beth’s porch at 945 Grandview.
I, Janna, will be working on media coverage for the event. If you have any ideas (other than the obvious ones I’m already thinking of: The Daily Camera…) please send me a list of papers, stations, etc and I will track down and follow up with the appropriate people.

Conference on World Affairs Concurrent Event – school children from many Boulder schools will be attending. Contact joellen@mothersactingup.org for more info.
Thursday, April 10, 11:15 - 12:15 p.m. (Norlin Quad - meet at the front of the library)

The World's Biggest Lesson: Education is the answer! Led by Karambu Ringera.
Join school children and advocates of all shapes and sizes in launching an awareness-raising event to call for basic education for all children. Led by Karumbu Ringera and local youth leaders, we will gather to send an exuberant message to the world's leaders to keep their promise to the world's children for universal primary education for all by 2015!

Healthcare Watch
Kelye shared some of her excitement and news from the All Kids Covered by 2010 event. For more information, http://bouldermau.blogspot.com/2008/02/cover-all-kids-by-2010.html

Facilitating Local MAU Communities
We discussed Mom’s Night In utilizing Table Talk as a means to get mothers thinking about the issues.

Cover All Kids by 2010!

2008-02-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

On February 10th, legislators, medical professionals, social activists, clergy, and dozens of dedicated individuals gathered at the new Children's Hospital in Aurora to support the Cover All (Colorado) Kids by 2010 Initiative.

A recent healthcare survey sponsored by Denver's Metropolitan Organization for People revealed that 39 percent of the children in (MOP's) congregations and schools do not have healthcare insurance and are not receiving basic childhood immunizations, dental care, eyeglasses or treatment for injuries. According to Dr. Stephen Berman, former President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and one of the speakers at the rally, that figure may include as many as 150,000 of Colorado's children. While there are programs in place right now to cover some of these basic needs for children living below "poverty level" (i.e. Children's Healthcare Programs), many whose parents work but cannot afford private healthcare fall through the cracks.

The rally's organizers were wise to include among the many professional and legislative figures, two caregivers who told their stories and put live faces to the unnamed families suffering under similar conditions. One mother explained how she was encouraged to learn that her small son could benefit from dental services offered under a state-sponsored program for the medically underserved. However, if she accepted a job promotion that would help her family pay their living expenses, she would no longer qualify for the dental program. Not only that, but she would then become responsible for the ongoing treatment that he must receive.

Each speaker, and all attendees at this thought-provoking event were encouraged to sign a banner representing his or her commitment to making "Cover All Kids" a reality by 2010. If you would like more information about what can be done to promote this initiative, and to powerfully engage in this aspect of the democratic process, contact any of the following representatives: Molly Markert at mollymarkert@comcast.net; Tara Trujillo at tara@coloradokids.org; Stacey Moody at stacey@cchn.org; or Marilyn Stranske at marilyn@mopdenver.org.

I will bring the suggested actions flyers that were distributed at the rally to our next Boulder MAU meeting on Monday, February 25th at Play Grounds Café.

Kelye Lotz-Andrews

My Interest in Healthcare Issues...

2008-02-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

Dear MAU supporters:

Before I start submitting updates and announcements to this blog, I thought it would be a good idea to explain why I am interested in healthcare issues and what I hope to achieve.

When we moved to Boulder last fall, after a 3-year stint in a small, conservative, Southern town, I felt like a child on her first trip to Disney World. So much natural beauty to explore, so many cultural and artistic venues to visit, so many motivated people to meet, and so many opportunities to make the world a healthier, cleaner and safer home for our children (and our children's children.) Like an over-stimulated child, I wasn't sure weather to laugh or cry!

As I began sifting through the myriad of NFP's and special interest groups, I discovered that each one I visited had at least some interest in improving the healthcare situation here in Colorado, on a national level, or even on a global scale. Coincidence? Not exactly.

Looking back over my volunteering history, health-related efforts are obviously in the forefront. Since my mother's diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 1999, my daughter and I have participated at various levels of Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society's largest annual fundraiser. As the spouse of a physician, I am an active member of the American Medical Association Alliance, and have attended their leadership conference in Chicago. Following in my grandfather's footsteps, I helped promote the local free-clinic as they tried to answer the needs of working citizens who "fell through the cracks" with regard to healthcare insurance.

Now I am beginning to see my role in life not only as a mother, wife, teacher, and volunteer, but as someone who can empower others to make important changes in the healthcare system. By sharing what I've learned about healthcare reform and by helping different organizations join forces to achieve shared goals, I hope to advance the movement towards healing our dysfunctional healthcare system.

At a recent rally in Denver supporting "All Kids Covered by 2010," one of the speakers insisted that Colorado must create a system capable not only of treating our children when they are injured or sick, but we must create and uphold a system whose goal is to keep our children well. I support wholeheartedly the response of Dr. Gary VanderArk, founder of Doctors Care: "WE CAN! WE MUST! WE WILL!"

In peace, love, and justice,
Kelye Lotz-Andrews

Mother Leadership at the State Capitol

2008-02-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

Mentoring Program to Advocate for Children

The Purpose: To begin a children’s movement in the Colorado State Legislature.

The Plan: An opportunity for mothers to experience the legislative process from the inside. The mentoring program includes three to four visits to the state capitol. Participants will witness firsthand how a bill becomes a law (or not) including: meeting with the legislative sponsor, observing public testimony, and counting the final votes on the floor.

The Program: Participants will learn our government system, find ways to best apply ones time and talent, and promote positive outcomes for the children and families of Colorado. Each representative is offered minimum legislative support staff. Highly paid lobbyists and term limits make leaders susceptible to big money interests. As citizens, our voices are needed more now than perhaps ever before. The program lasts no more than three days and multiple schedules are available. The mentoring process can be completed in less than ten hours. Please join the Mother Leadership Mentoring program to impact public policy and represent the needs of our children in the Colorado legislature.

The People: Sponsored by Mothers Acting Up, facilitated by Angela Engel, author and children’s advocate. Contact Joellen Raderstorf, joellen@mothersactingup.org

It’s been 88 years since the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution granted women the right to vote. It’s time for a “decided circle of women” to come together again for a new movement. If we, as mothers, will not speak up for our children, who will? Please join Mother’s Acting Up as we embark on a new adventure in creating the Children’s Movement at the Colorado State Capitol.

Conference on Social Business and Microeconomic Opportunities for Youth in Denver!

2008-02-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

March 12 - 14, 2008

Keynote Speaker, Muhammad Yunus
Muhammad Yunus revolutionized how we fight poverty by creating a system of microfinance for the poorest people in Bangladesh. His contribution to helping us build a world of free of poverty was acknowledged when the Norwegian Nobel Committee noted that "lasting peace can not be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Microcredit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights."

Conference Overview

Gap Analysis and Problem Statement
As the microcredit movement has focused its efforts on funding small women-owned businesses, younger members of these families have received unprecedented education and training. Now looking for economic opportunities for themselves, these young people often have no venues for their creativity and talents.
Challenges and Obstacles in Addressing Youth Poverty
Access to resources is often not the core issue to addressing youth poverty. Explore systemic barriers.

Social Business and Youth - What is Working, Lessons Learned, Possible Solutions
Revolutionaries, Rule Breakers and Progressive Thinkers: Going Deeper, Thinking Differently -
To Solve the Problem of Youth Poverty.

What is Next - Goal Setting and Action Planning
Group brainstorming: examine the academic, private, non-profit and government sectors, develop strategies for influencing policy, enhancing academic research, encouraging multi-sector partnerships, sustainable philanthropy and social business models which economic opportunities for youth. The conference will be adjourned with a call to action to meet again in two years to measure progress.

For more information and to register visit http://academic.regis.edu/cat/socialbusiness/

Do you have a restaurant you love?

2008-02-03T19:45:00.000-07:00

If you know a restaurant owner, manager or employee, consider asking them to join restaurants around the country to raise money for the UNICEF Tap Project.

During the week of March 16, culminating on World Water Day, March 22, 2008, restaurants across the country will ask their customers to donate $1 for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. All of the money raised will be used to provide clean and safe drinking water to millions of children world-wide. Considering that more than 1.5 million children die each year as a result of not having clean water or adequate sanitation this effort will play a critical role in children’s lives.

Your personal connection is the best way to recruit restaurants to participate in the UNICEF Tap Project. Visit www.tapproject.org to register and receive the materials needed to sign up your favorite restaurant. Or you can contact Sheila Malcolm at: sheilamalcolm@comcast.net or at (303) 499-5933.

To help us get the word out and to promote the Tap Project in local communities, join us on Feb 9, 2008, from 9:30 am to 2 pm, at St. Mary’s Academy in Denver for a volunteer training day. A bus will be provided from Boulder leaving at 8am from the Basemar shopping center at Baseline and Broadway. By attending the training, you will develop a solid background about UNICEF and the Tap Project, recruiting restaurants and promoting Tap to friends and organizations. Meet representatives from the U.S. Fund, as well as the four City Coordinators and lots of like-minded volunteers. Please contact Sheila Malcolm at sheilamalcolm@comcast.net or at (303) 499-5933 to join us.

There are 3 R's We've got to Talk About...

2008-02-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

I know you've all heard it before, but is REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE actually put into action in your home?

I do my best in my own home, but I will admit that I frequently get overwhelmed and slip. I just can't handle all the junk and the time it takes to "do the right thing." Especially with my biggest excuse - two very young children in tow.

But that's not good enough. I will try to do better, will you?

I had a big conversation with my husband last night after the upteenth time he said "I'm going to throw all of that _____ in the trash!" Usually he's referring to the toys, seemingly never played with, but constantly strewn across the living room. But there are other things, too. Everytime he says this it makes me want to scream. Can't we give them away? Certainly some other kids can get some enjoyment out of our old toys?

Then he says, "Does it really matter if we put them in the trash NOW or someone else does in a year?"

Ack! I think it absolutely does matter. If another child can play with our toys, we are buying that much more time with that toy not in a landfill. And what if everyone passed the toy on? Then maybe it would never be in a landfill! I know that's not really realisitc, but we have to start somewhere!

And what about all the resources that we can save by not manufacturing 2, 3, 4, ... 1,000,000 of that toy? If it is plastic, an enormous amount of water is used in it's production with the formation of toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases. And then there's the packaging! Then, when it ends up in the landfill, it will take at least 10,000 years to break down - or much more depending on the type of plastic it is.

Plastics, in general, make me crazy. I worry about the impact of my kids drinking out of plastic. I worry about the toxic chemicals in a wide variety of plastic toys. And I worry about their eventual home in the landfill.

Here are some easy steps you can take:
1.) use cloth bags when shopping
2.) use reuseable aluminum or stainless steel water bottles, sippy cups, etc
3.) use glass whenever possible (I just switched to Pyrex storage containers)
4.) donate unwanted items, or better yet, consign them for a small profit!
5.) buy toys from local vendors, made from sustainable materials
6.) "green" your home where-ever possible!

Celebrating Diversity in Boulder

2008-01-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

Please Join Us for the
2008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
January 21, 2008
Boulder High School
Master of Ceremonies:
Francisco Mejia, I Have A Dream Foundation

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Rally/March at the Boulder County Courthouse

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.: MLK Birthday Cake and Lunch in the Cafeteria - Ballet Folklorico de Casey Middle School, Danse Etoile Ballet

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Human Rights Fair in the Cafeteria - Visit with representatives from various groups and organizations all afternoon. Be sure to stop by the MAU Table!

1:45 - 2:00 p.m.: Writing Contest Awards Presentation in the Auditorium - Youth Opportunities Advisory Board

2:00 - 2:45 p.m.: Poetry for the People in the Auditorium - Denver's Nationally Ranked Slam Poets: Representing three different Denver teams: Denver Mercury Slam Team, Slam NUBA, and the Minor Disturbance Denver Youth Slam Team

2:00 - 4:30 p.m.: Children’s Activity in the Cafeteria - Art projects, storytelling, music, readings for children ages 3-10 years old.

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.: Workshops in Classrooms
Stand up! Speak out! Against Bullying and Prejudice: A workshop for high school students. Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Classroom, Limited to 25 participants.

Conversations of a Lifetime: Issues and Experiences of Immigrant Integration in Boulder County” Dialogues on Immigrant Integration, Classroom, Dialogue is a powerful tool for building understanding, sharing stories, and learning about experiences of others. Dialogue helps people reach across boundaries to explore issues, find common ground and create solutions. This workshop utilizes dialogue to provide a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation about immigrant integration in Boulder County."

Rehearsal for Activism Workshop, Mothers Acting Up, Classroom, Gain the skills, confidence and practice needed to act upon your most passionate concerns! In a safe and supportive environment, the following skills will be taught: effective public expression, rehearse’ activism in the workshop using these expressive skills, engage all participants in actively devising solutions to obstacles.

Boulder ADAPTS, Classroom, Members of Boulder ADAPT will share the history of ADAPT, a national civil rights movement of people with disabilities. Like the non-violent approaches of Martin Luther King, Jr., members of ADAPT use direct action to break down barriers that people with disabilities face in society. Learn about how people with disabilities are making a difference in this community and on a a national level in today's world.

4:45 - 5:30 p.m.: Second Baptist Church Choir in the Auditorium - The spirit of gospel music comes to life and serves to recognize and celebrate the creative, historical, communal, and social significance of this music which has played a central role in the civil rights movement.

Can One Woman's Passion Change the World?

2008-01-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

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.

Use the donation badge at right or click here: http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=109713

In great appreciation,
Janna Vance

The Tap Project

2008-01-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

A single glass of water can make a difference around the world. Clean and plentiful drinking water is a privilege millions of us take for granted. But more than 1 billion people do not have access to clean water, and the effects on children are devastating. More than 1.5 million children die each year as a result of not having clean water or adequate sanitation.

As a way to raise awareness of this crucial issue, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is proud to announce the national launch of the Tap Project. During the week of March 16, culminating on World Water Day, March 22, 2008, restaurants across the country will ask their customers to donate $1 for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. Your participation in recruiting restaurants and encouraging everyone you know to visit them, will help educate others and work to improve water and sanitation conditions in over 90 countries. And with your help, communities within the U.S. will become more aware of the water crisis around the world and understand how they can help.

Visit www.tapproject.org to become familiar with the program and register as a volunteer. In addition, on Feb. 9, 2008, the Denver/Boulder Tap Project City Coordinators have scheduled a dynamic, volunteer training day from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Mary’s Academy in Englewood. (Bus provided from Boulder.) Join us to learn more about the work of UNICEF and the Tap Project, interact with US Fund for UNICEF representatives, City Coordinators and fellow volunteers, and feel prepared to participate in Tap Project restaurant and recruiting and volunteer promotion.

Change is possible, and you can make it happen.
Thank you for your support and all you do to help UNICEF save kids’ lives!

For more information:
Boulder: 303 499-5933
Denver Metro: 303 355-9393 or tapprojectdenver@aol.com.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

2008-01-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

Start the New Year off on a green foot! Join Andrew Bascue from the city of Boulder's ClimateSmart team and learn ways to reduce your transportation carbon footprint. Andrew will explain how to evaluate your carbon footprint, will discuss car purchase decisions, renewable fuels and driving tips to improve your gas mileage. You will also learn about some of the other incentive programs available to you to reduce your carbon footprint and energy costs. Get inspired to make small changes today in anticipation of the greener, more sustainable future we hope to achieve.

What: City of Boulder's ClimateSmart team presents: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
When: Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: REI Boulder - 1789 28th St - (303) 583-9970 - Community Room

Greening Boulder's Schools

2007-12-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

So far, the District has not lived up to the language of the bond. Our group, Greening Boulder's Schools, has formed in response to concerns that an opportunity to green the schools may be passing us by . Our goals are to 1) pressure BVSD to make energy efficiency, renewables and green energy a priority and a policy directive 2) connect all the schools in BVSD receving bond money in a larger conversation about greening and 3) push BVSD to consider some creative financing mechanisms to make greening a reality (there are numerous options out there and we dont feel that the district has been aggressive about pursuing them).

So far, we have representatives from Manhattan Middle School, Foothill Elementary, Aurora 7, Crestview Elementary, Casey Middle School, Lafayette Elementary and Fairview High. We are hoping to get representatives from the following remaining schools which are in phase 1 of Bond construction. It is preferable that the rep. be on the DAT (design advisory team) but not essential. Reps. time commitment may be fairly limited.

Summit Middle School
Boulder High
Broomfield High
Community Montessori
Louisville Middle
Monarch High School
Nederland High School
Columbine Elementary

Finally if you want to be part of this dialogue about greening the schools, we have set up a google group to manage all the emails and information. Here is the link to sign up for the Google Group called "Greening Boulder's Schools":http://groups.google.com/group/bvsd-greening
Note that you can choose to receive emails or not. The web-based method lets you go to the group and interact when you want, rather than getting emails.

Thank you for caring about our schools and our children,
Bay Roberts
Greening Boulder's Schools

Bill of Wrongs

2007-12-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

See the Colorado Daily's site for a story on our Stand for the Constitution efforts - including a quote from our very own Jeanne! Bravo! http://www.coloradodaily.com/articles/2007/12/07/news/c_u_and_boulder/news1.txt

Stand Up for the Constitution

2007-12-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday, December 6th, 12 Noon to 1 PM
Please join RMPJC and ACLU of Colorado and MAU and help stop the erosion of our Constitutional Rights. Gather at the Sister City Plaza, Municipal Building at Broadway and Canyon in Boulder. There will be music and speakers, including Cathy Hazouri, Executive Director of ACLU Colorado Chapter, Elena Aranda, Coordinator of the Companeras Program of El Centrol Amistad and others.

Stand Up for the Constitution was started by Naomi Wolf who is the author of The End of America. Below is a link to a summary: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-wolf/sit-down-for-the-constitu_b_69800.html

Call Betty or Carolyn @ (303) 444-6981 or go to http://www.rmpjc.org/ for more info.

Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center's Peacemaker of the Year Awards

2007-12-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

Friday, December 7th, 6 PM - 10 PM
Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center will present its 12th Annual Peacemaker of the Year Awards at their Holiday Party to be held at the Unity Church at the corner Folsom and Valmont in Boulder. The recipients of this year's awards are: Elena Aranda and the Companeras Program of El Centro Amistad, and Mothers Acting Up. The awards are being presented to these two organizations who have distinguished themselves for their effective commitment to social justice for all people, especially women and children. Entertainment will be provided by Bonnie Carol, Robb Candler & Gary Ball; and the Madrigal Singers of Fairview High School. There will also be a silent, and a live auction with Robb Candler as the exciting auctioneer. Please come and celebrate the Companeras and Mothers Acting Up at this festive event We are grateful to the Boulder Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union for co-sponsoring this annual benefit for the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center. For mor information, visit www.rmpjc.org Please RSVP to 303.444.6981.

The 2008 MAU Handbook! Buy it Locally!

2007-12-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

Purchase the acclaimed 2008 MAU Handbook (engagement calendar) at these Boulder stores!
Meow Meow (on the hill), 1118 13th Street
Rebecca's Herbal Apothecary, 1227 Spruce Street
Middle Fish, 1500 Pearl Street, Suite C
Word is Out Women's Bookstore, 2015 10TH Street
Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl Street
The Community Foundation, 1123 Spruce Street

Or use the link to the right on this Boulder MAU Blog!

Other Local Goings On...

2007-12-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Isn't it a great time to be in Boulder??? In the midst of the holidays and with the new year around the corner, it seems that everyone has a great event planned. Here's a brief list of some local events. For more information, contact Janna at j(at)jannavance(dot)com.

Sunday, December 9, 7 PM, Denver
Swallow Hill's Annual Peace Concert. More info: 303-777-1003.

Sunday, December 9, Denver
Naomi Klein to speak to benefit KGNU Community Radio! Call 303-449-4885 to reserve your tickets.

Sunday, December 9, 12 Noon - 2 PM, Denver
Brit Tzedek Chanukah Brunch Potluck. 1625 Larimer Street. Info and RSVP to Sara denver(at)btvshalom(dot)org by December 7.

Monday, December 10, 6 PM, Boulder
Lawrence Harrison, author of CULTURE MATTERS and THE CENTRAL LIBERAL TRUTH, will address the findings of a 3-year research project that explored the cultural values of dozens of nations. At CU's Law School.

Tuesday, Dec. 18, Evening TBD, Boulder
Hannah Mermelstein, co-founder of Birthright Unplugged (http://www.birthrightunplugged.org/)

Thursday, December 20, 7 PM, Boulder
Talk and book signing with Anna Baltzer, Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories.

Colorado Caucus

2007-12-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

By Jen Parsons

I learned, a few weeks ago at a Caucus for Obama event at CU, that in Colorado we DO NOT have a primary. If you want to have any say on which candidates are going to get the party nominations you have to register for that party (not be independent) by DECEMBER 5TH. And then on February 5th you go to your precinct and actually stand to be counted for that candidate. Delegates are assigned to each candidate by the numbers of people that show up for that candidate. This is also how it is done in Iowa and New Hampshire and I, like many people, had no idea we did it this way in Colorado.

Our primary has never mattered much before, but they moved the date up this year. They expect a better turnout this year for the caucus, because of the contentiousness of our politics this year. Last time they said Boulder had a few precincts that had 30 people show up which is really good...WHAT? 30 people deciding who gets nominated GOOD?

PLEASE get active.

It matters MORE that you participate in your caucuses than anything else you can do for your favorite candidate. And it is a good example to your kids and a good example to our government that we ARE interested in what they do.

So go stand up for what you believe in. I don't want to hear anyone next November saying "Oh the choices are between bad and worse" you can help decide what those choices are!

MAU's Shop at NAU

2007-12-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

Sunday, December 2, 1 - 4 PM
MAUs shop at NAU at the Twenty Ninth Street Center (#1264). NAU is committed to beauty, performance and sustaninability. ALL Mothers Acting Up receive 20% off all purchases! Refreshments provided. RSVP to Sean.McKelvie@NAU.COM or (303)974-2555 to sign-up for a FREE CHAIR MASSAGE!

Culture of Giving Junior Philanthropy Art Show

2007-12-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, December 4, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Youth winners honor non-profits and MAU is honored to be one of the non-profits! Awards presentation 6 - 6:30 pm at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, refreshments provided, free & open to the public.

Shop for Change on World Aids Day!

2007-11-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Momentum, at 1625 Pearl Street, Boulder, is hosting a special event on Saturday, December 1, to celebrate World AIDS Day. From 1-4 p.m., Momentum will donate 15% of their profits to Embrace The World, a sub-group of BCAP, which supports groups confronting the effects of the AIDS epidemic internationally. Committee members will be present at the store to answer questions regarding specific programs and the ongoing AIDS global pandemic. Purchasing items at Momentum during this event helps in two ways:
1. It supports artisans in 41 countries who create beautiful fair trade products, many of whom are HIV+ or living with AIDS.
2. It increases the grants available to support orphans and adults impacted by AIDS around the world.
COME JOIN US ON WORLD AIDS DAY AND SHOP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Step It Up - November 3rd

2007-10-25T17:30:00.000-06:00

Just a friendly reminder from Step It Up: November 3rd is just around the corner, and the movement is gaining momentum. Make sure you know which event in your area you will be attending next Saturday and filling out an online RSVP. Also, let's make sure everybody (including the candidates!) come to a Step It Up event near them.

To RSVP, invite friends and invite candidates: http://www.stepitup2007.org/

Getting to know you...

2007-10-25T15:12:00.000-06:00

Thanks, Beth, for the great pictures to "give the blog readers a visual image of the Boulder MAUs!" Great idea!

Here's the some of the Boulder gang at a Girlcott:

A Girlcott is a positive endorsement of a business for having a positive impact on the world's children. This particular Girlcott took place at Wild Oats for featuring Fair Trade products. Hooray for Wild Oats!

Here's the gang again at the annual Mothers Day Parade:Arise! Arise!

Mothers Acting Up (and Drinking Coffee?) to Protect the World's Children

2007-10-25T14:55:00.000-06:00

By Beth Osnes (co-founder of Mothers Acting Up)

Mothers have untapped political power to get policies in place that protect and care for the entire human family. Mothers also have incredible economic strength which, if flexed, could affect corporate policy in regard to labor practices in developing countries, paid maternity leave for all, no foreign child labor, and earth-friendly practices and products. All that is needed is cohesion and focusing on what unites over what divides us. Among the many groups rumbling beneath the surface of society working to unite mothers, is Mothers Acting Up (MAU), a movement of mothers publicly and passionately advocating for the world’s children. MAU inspires, educates and engages mothers — a gigantic force to be reckoned with — to prioritize children in our corporate and public policies. (http://www.mothersactingup.org/)

All societal change happens incrementally. It starts with one solid step that begins a journey towards honoring the promise of our children’s lives—of all children’s lives. It could be just this, that my morning cup of coffee always be Fair Trade certified coffee. This could seem a rather paltry start, but looking deeper, the significance of this effort and its link with larger international efforts can be seen, as well as the connection between individual choices and collective action. Making your morning cup of coffee Fair Trade ensures that the farmers growing and picking your beans received a fair wage and that the profits from the sale of your beans go back into their communities so that their children can go to school and that families have access to health care. It ensures no child labor is used, which is often not the case in such work as coffee farming where the nimble hands of young children are sought after. It ensures sustainable environmental practices are used, and often, that the product is also organic. Beyond that single farming community, you are participating in recommended methods (supporting Fair Trade) for achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which if fully supported, will halve extreme poverty by 2015.

How to start? It’s easy. Just ask your café or grocery store if they carry Fair Trade certified coffee. If not, respectfully let them know that you will be switching to a business whose practices have a more positive impact on the world’s children. Better yet, share your interest in Fair Trade with them. Leave your phone number and ask the manager to call you once they chose to carry it. If they do, congratulate them warmly and spread the word! This kind of acting up is more contagious than Chicken Pox and loads more fun. In addition, these methods are likely to work for mothers who, as a whole, are repelled from more confrontational forms of acting up. This kind of activism is actually a form of community building, at which most mothers excel. It is realizing that we have an inherent relationship with the people who sell our goods and with the laborers who produce them, even if they live on another continent. As with any relationship, if one side feels slighted, hostilities emerge and can manifest themselves in many ways. The most certain way to hand down a peaceful world to our children is to tend to these relationships with integrity rather than a blind eye.

From your morning cup of coffee to international efforts to reduce poverty? Yes, we are all inextricably linked in both our challenges and our solutions. Want to make your pledge to drink Fair Trade coffee? Write an email to Melisande and Beth Osnes who are keeping track of how many folks are making the pledge ( osnesbeth at hotmail dot com ) or call us at 303-442-7628. We’ll post our numbers soon!

Happy coffee drinking to all!
Beth

Upcoming Climate Action

2007-10-24T21:13:00.000-06:00

Join us as we work alongside millions of other environmental activists across the nation on November 3rd!

Kate Paradis has generously invited us to join her event and make Global Warming Holiday Cards! Join your local Progressive Voter Network to make holiday cards asking Congressman Udall to be a leader on global warming solutions. We’ll deliver these to his office later in the month. Bring some art supplies, a snack to share, and a friend. At the event we will make cards and choose a day to deliver them to Congressman Udall's local office with the message “We won't have peace on earth until we protect the earth!" For more information and to RSVP: http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/events/show/2615

Jeanne and I will also be working on an ongoing project to collect "Give our Leaders the Finger" videos from Boulder area folks. What the heck does that mean? See it here:

If you would like to participate with your green finger, catch up with us at the card making event at Kate's place or at the next MAU meeting or make your own short video and email it to me (j at jannavance dot com). I'll be compiling all of the short videos into one video to represent Boulder!

It's Time for Mothers to Decide

2007-10-24T20:58:00.000-06:00

Learn more about how to take action here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1735/t/177/letter/?letter_KEY=847

Welcome!

2007-10-24T13:37:00.000-06:00

I am so happy to welcome you all to the Boulder area Mothers Acting Up blog!

Please join me in blogging about what's going on with the local MAU community, the local and widespread political realm, the world, the environment or just what's on your mind (pertaining to MAU, of course).

A couple of weeks ago I ventured out to a meeting of the local (and founding) meeting of Mothers Acting Up. What a great group of women! There mission is to unite mothers in taking spirited action to prioritize children with a focus on shifting resources to provide health & education, caring for the environment and exposing the true cost of war. When nearly every-other child lives in poverty, it's time to mobilize the mamas! (Mothers, defined: mothers and others, on stilts or off, who excercise protective care over someone smaller.) Some of the guidelines of the group follow the United Nation's eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – which form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest. You can find more information here: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/index.html My biggest, personal mission (as you who know me can probably guess) is the environment. However, I must say that where I've been noncommital in the past, on issues of world poverty, the global economy, gender equality in other parts of the world, etc., I am becoming more aware through my interactions with this group. I love that MAU exists so that I can stand up and be counted; but also research and work to inspire others in the realm of environmental protection! I - along with my tiny activists - am having a lot of fun and doing something meaningful, too! The images here are from our Stand Up Against Poverty ralley on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder last week. If you're interested, check out MAU's website and join - or form - a group in your area!

In spirited partnership,
Janna
Boulder Web Maven