MomsRising Takes New York

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:33:00 GMT

Yesterday's New York Times featured MomsRising, the grassroots organization founded by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner and Joan Blades (of MoveOn.org) that is making quite a splash arguing for better childcare, more flexible leave programs, and explaining the realities of workplace discrimination.

But MomsRising isn't an alt-group. It boasts 80,000 members (since May 2006) and is actively fostering alliances with groups ranging from the National Organization of Women (NOW) to the Christian Coalition. Nevermind that I attended college with Kristin's husband who broke my best pal's heart, I can see beyond all that, man, into the bigger universal picture of what is at stake here.

Equal pay, quality childcare, the difficulty of working and being a mom. These are struggles that we all share and care about. I'm so totally inspired by the good work of MomsRising. But what do you think? Are they going to accomplish all they've set out to?

Moms Ink: MomsRising Takes Back Feminism

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 12:06:00 GMT

MomsRising, started in 2006 by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner and Joan Blades (of MoveON.org) comes out of their collaboration The Motherhood Manifesto and is a grassroots movement for parents who want to be part of a movement to further family friendly laws and social policies, including those represented by the acronym M.O.T.H.E.R.:

Maternity/paternity leave

Open flexible work

TV we choose and other after-school options

Healthcare for all kids

Excellent childcare

Realistic and fair wages

MomsRising claims 50,000 members and its efforts have been hailed by Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, and others. The founders are both experienced activists and the hope is that the agenda put forth by MomsRising and further delineated in their documentary "The Motherhood Manifesto" will achieve broad bi-partisan support moving forward.

As with other feminist movements in the past, MomsRising will struggle to reach beyond the class divides that have hampered the National Organization of Women (NOW) and others. The computer-savvy seem to be the main audience for MomsRising (as with MoveON.org) with the action updates and informational emails coming via the Internet. As with other efforts to date, the faces and voices of MomsRising are predominately white.

Nevertheless, many people feel that a women's movement that finally takes on some of the central struggles of being a parent in today's society is long overdue and a welcome change. Perhaps, as with the suffragettes, this second wave of activists will finally achieve the goals of earlier generations.

I sure hope so.

Strollerderby : Joan Blades

MomsRising Takes New York

Moms Ink: MomsRising Takes Back Feminism