The distractions of activism;
pregnancy and childbirth issue
In the bigger picture, childbearing in the United States involves far more than navigating a natural process to enhance the odds of a positive experience and outcome for mother and baby -- it includes the whole woman and the dynamics of the relational, cultural, and economic world she is enmeshed in.

The Mothers Movement Online
endorses Barack Obama for President

Turning the page:
Our Bodies, Ourselves Pregnancy and Birth Book
An interview with OBOS director Judy Norsigian. "Maternity care is in crisis in this country… There is an enormous amount of misinformation in the media and on the internet that has created a poorly-informed public. In addition, some obstetricians who fail to keep up with the latest research misleadingly suggest to women that many routine medical interventions are completely without risks."
By Judith Stadtman Tucker

Reconsidering "best birth" practices:
An interview with Lisa Gould Rubin
"What's also striking to me is that through all different movements surrounding birth, we still come up with the same old dilemmas or issues that put a value upon birth as if there's a good or bad, right or wrong way to give birth."
By Sarah Werthan Buttenwieser

The caring society
There are caring people in every society -- but not all societies are caring societies.
By Judith Stadtman Tucker

Democratic front-runners pledge support for working families
Whether through first-hand hardships or as media consumers, Americans are waking up to the significant risks of raising families in a nation where protecting corporate interests takes priority over the well-being of workers and children -- and, at least among Democratic hopefuls, candidates in the presidential primary race are taking note.
By Judith Stadtman Tucker

Camping while black
I've tried to keep these harsh realities from my son; however, in retrospect, I wonder if that is that wise? As his mother and primary link to black history, culture, pride and pain, I worry I am making a grave mistake. My biggest fear is I'm not fully preparing him to cope in a racist society and thus he may walk straight into harm's way.
By Deb Pleasants

more features ...

February/March 2008

public policy:

Meddling with the FMLA

research & reports:

Who's minding the kids --
and how much does it cost?

Most US children live in two-parent families

Today's first-time mothers are older, more educated, and more likely to be employed
than first-time moms in 1970

Men and housework;
fertility trends in the United States

in the news:

National Advocates fro Pregnant Women responds to New York Times

in mmo blogworthy:

New policy brief on time as a resource for
working families

Only in the US: The perplexing case of
missing maternity coverage

In a single day, US domestic violence programs served 53,304

Feminism, women, and the vote

Most states fail to protect children in family home day care settings

NWLC offers new fact sheets on tax credits for working families

Work-Family Research Network interview
with Ellen Bravo

also in mmo noteworthy: past editions

Through the looking glass
By Megan Beyer
I look like Hillary Clinton.

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes families
By Kristin Maschka
Governor Schwarzenegger, as your boss, we'll be glad to let you use a day of leave to take care of your kids. As long as you make sure the rest of us can do the same.

Family politics:
How Democrats can reclaim family values
By Erica Etelson
Thanks to the emergence of a progressive parenthood movement, the one set of issues that could make or break any presidential bid is family policy.

more commentary & opinion ...

Actions:

National Women's Law Center:
Fair Pay Campaign

National Network of Abortion Funds:
30 Years is Enough!
Petition to repeal the Hyde Amendment

Have you experienced workplace discrimination because of your parental status or family responsibilities?
Contact the Center for WorkLife Law

One-click activism for mothers &
people who care about them:
MomsRising.org
Motherhood Manifesto DVD now available!

National Organization for Women:
Mothers & Caregivers Economic Rights

Conferences/
calls for submissions:

National Association of Mothers Centers
NAMC National Conference:
Mothers ’08™ –
Thinking Beyond Ourselves & Beyond Today
April 4-6, 2008
Hauppauge, NY

NOW Foundation
Institute of Women's Policy Research
National Council of Negro Women
Summit on Economic Justice for Women
April 11-12, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia

Association for Research on Mothering (ARM)
MAMAPALOOZA
Performing Feminist Motherhood:
Outlaw Mothers in Music, Media, Arts and
Cultural Expression
May 16, 2008
New York City

Causes:

MADRE Emergency and Disaster Relief Fund:
Crisis response that advances women's human rights

Atticus Circle
Straight people dedicated to advancing equal rights for LGBT partners, parents, and their children

Choice, in all its complexity
Choice: True Stories of Birth, Contraception, Infertility, Adoption, Single Parenthood and Abortion
Karen E. Bender and Nina de Gramont, Editors
Review by Sarah Werthan Buttenwieser

How the personal became political
Sisterhood, Interrupted:
From Radical Women to Grrls Gone Wild
By Deborah Siegel
Review by Judith Stadtman Tucker

Reality check
Opting Out?
Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home
By Pamela Stone
Review by Deborah Siegel

The disappeared
The Girls Who Went Away:
The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade
By Ann Fessler
Review by Carolyn McConnell

more reviews ...

MMO welcomes reader mail.

In Letters:

"In Australia, our country has changed. Our federal election of November 2007 saw the end of a leader obsessed with economic growth at the expense of sustainability and social issues. Parliament resumed with a new leader who opened with a Welcome to Country from indigenous Australians, an apology to the Stolen Generation, a call to freeze the salary of parliamentarians and an appeal for bipartisan co-operation. It was an historic week."

Address your letters to mail@mothersmovement.org, or visit the mail page for more information.