About MotherWoman, Inc.
OUR MISSION
MotherWoman, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and
empowering mothers to create positive personal and social change for
themselves, their families, their communities and the world.
MotherWoman creates treasured, mother-centered, safe spaces of mutual
respect and acceptance where each mother can speak honestly about the
truth of her mothering experience- the light and the dark. The individual
and collective wisdom this creates has a long-lasting positive impact on
future generations.
MotherWoman meets otherwise unmet needs in our community, offering
unique and powerful programs that challenge the dominant attitudes and
systems that devalue and oppress mothers and families emotionally,
socially, and economically, creating barriers to success and empowerment.
MotherWoman programs:
o Foster each participant's sense of personal and social worth as a mother
and a woman. When a mother feels supported and valued, she is better able
to fulfill her potential and meet the challenges of her life.
o Actively challenge the cultural "myth of the good mother", which sets
unrealistic, unattainable standards for mothers, creates obstacles to
mother's personal, social and economic empowerment, and contributes to
maternal depression.
o Feed mothers emotionally and intellectually, and provide opportunities
for mothers to apply their personal and collective power to change the
political economy of motherhood in America.
OUR HISTORY
MotherWoman was founded in 1999 by social workers and mothers Annette
Cycon and Gabriella LaChiara who shared the common experience of maternal
depression, isolation and disempowerment. After supporting each other
through divorce, breast cancer, and the indignities of the welfare system,
they joined forces and founded MotherWoman, Inc., the Pioneer Valley's
local leading force in the revolution in mothering. MotherWoman became a
501c3 organization in 2004.
OUR PROGRAMS
MotherWoman Groups and Retreats: MotherWoman groups provide treasured
spaces of mutual respect and acceptance where mothers can gather in
community, share their experiences as mothers and women, and gain support.
MotherWoman groups bring forward and empowers the individual and
collective wisdom of the women who participate.
MotherWoman groups are
unique in that they challenge the cultural "myth of the good mother",
empowering mothers to instead forge their own unique paths in mothering.
MotherWoman groups are also unique in that they provide a rare, cultural
opportunity for mothers to talk honestly what we call the light sides and
the dark sides of mothering.
MotherWoman offers free, once a week, drop
in MotherWoman groups in Amherst, Greenfield and Northampton, as well as
fee for service motherr's writing groups and a group for mothers of
teenagers and young adults. All day retreats offer mother-centered space
for mothers to gain support, reflect on their lives and replenish their
energy.
MotherWoman Group Leader Certification: MotherWoman is developing a
program to train and certify mothers to become MotherWoman Group leaders.
This training program provides a grassroots model of expansion that will
increase MotherWoman program offerings, and bring support to more mothers
in more communities.
Professional Trainings: MotherWoman is the only organization providing
professional trainings on the topic of prenatal and postpartum emotional
difficulties in Western Massachusetts. These fee for service trainings
provide medical and social service providers with much needed information
on recognizing, supporting and referring mothers experiencing prenatal and
postpartum emotional difficulties.
Postpartum Support Initiative: MotherWoman has positioned itself as the
organizational leader in the Pioneer Valley in the area of postpartum
emotional difficulties. This emerging program is offered in collaboration
with 15 major organizations. Program components include:
o Support groups for mothers: MotherWoman provides the only ongoing
support group designed for mothers experiencing postpartum depression and
anxiety in all of Western and Central Massachusetts, Vermont and
Connecticut. This program provides vital, life and soul saving support to
mothers and families in the Pioneer Valley and beyond.
o The Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Coalition of Franklin, Hampshire
and Hampden Counties, which has over 20 community members, is working to
create and implement a coordinated plan of service and emotional support
for pregnant and postpartum mothers.
o Professional trainings to educate medical and social service
professionals about postpartum emotional difficulties
o Information and support evenings for families of mothers experiencing
postpartum emotional difficulties. This program component has been piloted
with great success, and is awaiting funding to implement.
MomsRising of the Pioneer Valley: This is the political arm of
MotherWoman, dedicated to organizing mothers, fathers and families as
active agents of social change. This political action group devotes its
time to local, state and national policy and legislative issues, including
advancing the agenda of MomsRising.org- the national mother's political
advocacy organization. MotherWoman is a MomsRising.org aligned
organization. Issues being addressed include: maternity/ paternity leave,
open flexible work, healthcare for all children, fair and just wages,
excellent childcare, and paid sick leave- all issues that impact mothers,
fathers and families.
Public Outreach
o Website: MotherWoman's website is a clearinghouse of information about
MotherWoman. Our website forum provides mothers with 24/7 support and
connection with other mothers.
o Literary Journal: Published once annually, this free journal examines
challenging issues in mothering. Topics have included: Guilt, Anger, the
Myth of the Good Mother, Partnerships, Spirituality, Maternal Depression,
and Mother's Work.
o Public events: Designed to raise questions, challenge, entertain, and
examine the culture of and political economy of parenting in America.
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