MotherWoman News

Whole Foods 5% Day to benefit MotherWoman- Monday, June 7

MotherWoman — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:10:29 +0000

Whole Foods in Hadley, MA will host a 5% Day to benefit MotherWoman on Monday, June 7. So, put it in your calendar and head over there on June 7th to pick up a few items or save your grocery shopping for the week on that day! 5% of sales that day will be donated to MotherWoman.

Download this grocery list and put it on your fridge as a reminder!

Can you volunteer?
We need volunteers to staff a MotherWoman table at Whole Foods on Tuesday June 1 during 2-6pm, Saturday June 5 during 10-2pm, Monday June 7 during 11-6pm.
Contact Annette Cycon to sign up!

Update on the MA Postpartum Depression Bill

MotherWoman — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:08:06 +0000

HB 3897 recently received a "study order" from the Financial Services Committee. This can mean the end of the line for many bills (at least until the next two-year legislative session), but Representative Ellen Story is hopeful that it doesn't need to mean that for this legislation. Representative Story has been meeting with her colleagues about the bill, is working hard behind the scenes to understand why this bill has stalled, and to come up with a version that will take important steps to make things better for postpartum moms in Massachusetts. For more information contact Liz Friedman.

Paid Sick Days legislation Has been revived!

MotherWoman — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:02:01 +0000

Our emergency visit to the State House to show our support worked! Thanks to everyone's fast action and support over the last few weeks - we have cleared a MAJOR hurdle today! The bill got voted favorably out of the Committee on Health Care Financing!

The next step is the committee on Ways & Means. Luckily some of our local legislators are sit in key positions on this bill! We will be visiting the State House again in the near future to get acquainted with our new committee- If you would like to be involved and help plan for our next visit please contact Marianne Bullock.

Click here to find your legislator. Contact them to say you support Paid Sick Days. Why paid sick days?
Women are still most likely to be the primary care-takers of their families. That means that women are more likely to be at risk for punishment and termination under bad policies and practices. In addition, paid sick days have tremendous public health and financial benefits, including:
- fewer emergency room and hospital visits
- children will get better faster and stay healthier
- seasonal and pandemic flu will be better contained
- increased job and income security for employees

Breastfeeding Training Day, Friday, May 14 9-3pm

MotherWoman — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:00:06 +0000

MotherWoman is bringing Boston Medical Center Pediatrician Bobbi Philip, MD back to the Valley to provide a second training about the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, breastfeeding best practices standards and policy regarding nursing moms. This training is part of MotherWomen's ongoing project aimed at making Western, MA the first region in the country to have all of its hospitals certified as Baby-Friendly. Baby-Friendly is a an international WHO/UNICEF designation for hospitals that meet a set of criteria designed to provide optimum support for breastfeeding mothers in a hospital setting. Boston Medical Center is currently the only baby-friendly certified hospital in Massachusetts. In Sweden, 100% of hospitals are baby-friendly certified. This project is being implemented by MotherWoman's political arm- MomsRising of the Pioneer Valley. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Marianne Bullock.

MotherWoman participates in Fifth Annual Mother's Puppet Parade and March for Peace

MotherWoman — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:46:14 +0000

Join MotherWoman as we participate in the Fifth Annual Mother's Puppet Parade and March for Peace.

When: Mother's Day, May 9th, 12 noon, Ritual Performance at 1 pm in Pulaski Park.
(Raindate May 16th)
Where: Main Street, Northampton, Ma
(Puppeteers will be gathering at 11am at the Bridge St. school lawn.

Who: The MOther Earth JOurney Puppets, including the Great Mama, the Earth, dolphins and a whale, birds and beasts, the Carbon turtle and the Hurricane bird, Tara Mama, the Fox, the Phoenix, the Windmill and the Transition Town Turtle! Plus a community of puppet makers, peacemakers, activists, the Transition Town folks, the Pedal People, MotherWoman, and many more including you!

For more information contact: Beth Fairservis
or go to MOEJO PUPPETS on Facebook.
413-268-3588

Florist Spotlight #1- Amherst Chamber of Commerce and Amherst Massage

MotherWoman — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:40:17 +0000

This is the first in a series of business spotlights designed to highlight our 2010 Mothers are Worth a Million Sponsors- called Florists! We encourage you to visit and patronize the businesses that have chosen to support MotherWoman.

SPOTLIGHT- Amherst Chamber of Commerce
Run by Tony Maroulis, Joan Temkin and Tammy Lynn-Chase, the Chamber is dedicated to creating a vital, thriving business climate and to support the civic, educational,recreational and economic well being of the Amherst area. Stop by to visit! They are located at 28 Amity St. in the cinema building.

SPOTLIGHT- Amherst Massage
Trained at the Bancroft School of Massage, licensed massage therapist Chris Rasmussen offers traditional thai massage as well as therapeutic table massage at his office on Main St in Amherst.

Fundraiser for Mother's Day Parade and MotherWoman

MotherWoman — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:14:36 +0000

The organizers of the Mother's Day Puppet Parade are organizing a fundraiser for the parade and MotherWoman!

Come dance with the MOther Earth JOurney(MOEJO) Bird Puppets & Cellist Stephen Katz!

Wednesday April 21st 7:30-9:30 pm

We are being graciously hosted by the Dance Spirit organizers,
on the 3rd Floor, Fitzwilly's Building, Northampton. Ma.

This fundraiser will help us raise much needed funds for the creation of this years puppet parade to be held on Sunday, May 9, Mother's Day in Northampton.

You will also be able to buy a flower with a card in honor of your mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, wives, friends, etc for $10 and your flower will be carried through the streets in the Mother's Day Puppet Parade and the proceeds will go to MotherWoman. Mother Woman is a local non-profit organization that supports mothers in our community.

For more information contact Beth Fairservis

Don't let the bill die! Come eat pizza and phone bank for paid sick

MotherWoman — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:12:03 +0000

MomsRising of the Pioneer Valley will be hosting a phone banking day during April vacation- Monday 19th from 12-1pm at the MW office! We just got word that the bill needs to be passed out of the Health Care
Finance Committee- before April 28th! This means we are doing EVERYTHING WE CAN- sending in letters of support, phone calls and organizing moms around MA to meet w their legislators. So come have a slice of pizza- bring your cell phone and call some supporters and ask them to call their legislator! You can also call your legislator and ask them to support while you are here!

Hope you can make it!

rsvp if possible- so I have some idea how much pizza to order.
children are welcome!

See you there- marianne

MotherWoman Open Group- April 22

MotherWoman — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:03:44 +0000

Thursday, April 22, 7pm

Midwifery Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton, MA
The yellow house just south of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Campus

Have you heard your friends raving about MotherWoman?

Want to know what all the hubbub is about?

Please join us for a special evening MotherWoman Group. You'll learn more about MotherWoman's programs and have the opportunity to experience firsthand our powerful group model based on honesty, non-judgement, mutual respect, and acceptance.

This event is free and open to all women in the community. Infants in arms are welcome. Please arrive as promptly as your life allows.

Space is limited. Please RSVP to liz@motherwoman.org.

Paid Sick Leave Legislation still needs your help!

MotherWoman — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:06:11 +0000

Click here to find your legislator. Contact them to say you support Paid Sick Days. Why paid sick days?
Women are still most likely to be the primary care-takers of their families. That means that women are more likely to be at risk for punishment and termination under bad policies and practices. In addition, paid sick days have tremendous public health and financial benefits, including:
- fewer emergency room and hospital visits
- children will get better faster and stay healthier
- seasonal and pandemic flu will be better contained
- increased job and income security for employees
For more information about the bill.