MotherWoman News

Kick-off Celebration for Leadership Institute for Political Impact

MotherWoman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:54:19 +0000

March 27, 2010
9:30 am -- 2:00 pm
Holyoke Community College, Kittredge Center
Holyoke, MA

The Women's Fund wants local women to make an impact on social change by getting involved in civic affairs and even running for political office. To help develop future leaders, the foundation has developed the Leadership Institute for Political Impact to train area women in developing their civic leadership potential.

Don't miss keynote speaker Jennifer Lawless, Director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University, who speaks with energy, humor and first-hand experience about the barriers and stepping stones to women's political leadership.

RSVP by Friday, March 19th to secure your spot. Call (413) 529-0087 x10 or email Julie Holt.

Click here for the March 27th flyer and here for detailed information about the Leadership Institute.

See what the Springfield Republican says about this initiative on the WFWM in the News page.

The Boston Globe, with the research of Jennifer Lawless, examines why we need a critical mass of women making political decisions here.

The Women's Fund is the major funder of MotherWoman's political arm- MomsRising of the Pioneer Valley. The Leadership Institute for Political Impact dovetails with the mission of MomsRising of the Pioneer Valley which is a organize parents to take action on core family policy issues.

An Act Relative to Post-Partum Depression

MotherWoman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:51:26 +0000

Our Legislators want to know about our postpartum experiences. Can you believe it?
Share your stories with us. What happened? What was the worst moment? What helped? What didn't help? How are you now? We will keep your story anonymous or, with your permission, we will Include your name and town, and send your story to your legislator. Send to Liz. Or you can send your story directly to your legislator. To find your legislator click here.To find a sample letter you can send to your legislators in support of PPD legislation click here.

Paid Sick Leave Legislation is moving forward!

MotherWoman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:28:47 +0000

A reminder of why this is important-- One of our MotherWomen- a low-income, single mother of a very cute baby who has been attending MotherWoman groups for two year- was fired from her job recently because her little boy was sick and she had to stay home to care for him.

An Act Establishing Paid Sick Days was voted favorably out of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee! Thanks to committee members Senator Stephen Buoniconti and Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera for working hard to move that bill forward through the committee.

Playdate and Legislative Coffee Hour for Paid Sick Leave!

MotherWoman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:27:35 +0000

Moms in Western Mass are organizing a playdate and Legislative Coffee Hour with our local legislators -and you can join us!

*Can you come join the fun?* We'll have crafts, snacks and supervision for the kids as well as coffee, tea, pastries, and a chance to make a big difference for everyone.

An Evening with Tina Reynolds & The Prison Birth Project

MotherWoman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:25:14 +0000

Friday March 5, 2010, 6 - 8 PM, Food for Thought Books Collective
* Suggested Donation 5 - 15 at the door

You are invited to a special evening with Tina Reynolds and members of The Prison Birth Project.

Tina Reynolds is Co-founder and Chair of Women on the Rise Telling Her Story (WORTH), adjunct lecturer at York College/CUNY and co-author of Interrupted Life (University of California Press. January. 2010). She will be joining us to discuss the issues that effect incarcerated mothers and how we can better organize and support them as a community- as well as the success of WORTH in incarcerated moms leading and winning the fight to pass anti shackling legislation in NY.

MotherWoman Valentine's Photography Special

MotherWoman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:26:20 +0000

Donate $100 to MotherWoman and you will receive a free pregnancy portrait for yourself or a loved one from Sarah Prall Photography! Don't have any need for a pregnancy portrait? Give the love that comes with a $100 gift to mothers in your community anyway. In return we will send you a Valentine's Day card to thank you :)

Status of PPD Legislation

MotherWoman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:19:47 +0000

Postpartum Depression Legislation in Massachusetts

House Bill # 3897: An Act Relative to Postpartum Depression was heard before the Financial Services Committee on January 27th, 2010 with over 100 people in attendance. The legislation will make screening for postpartum depression universal, providing women with an essential opportunity to receive education and learn about resources to help them through a critical time in their mothering experience. The legislation will also provide for professional training of providers and a state-wide educational campaign for mothers.

The bill is currently awaiting the Financial Services Committee’s report and will most likely proceed to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.

The bill has received favorable response from the media including the following editorial in the Boston Globe.

To read the Legislation go to: House Bill 3897: An Act Relative to Postpartum Depression

For more information contact Liz.

Legislative Coffee Hour in Support of Paid Sick Days

MotherWoman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:18:33 +0000

Friday, Februrary 26 9:30am location in Western MA TBA
A coffee hour for Western Massachusetts legislators to learn about why paid sick leave is so important! Invite your legislator to be there! Contact Marianne to get an invitation to send to her/him!

MomsRising Onesie Party!

MotherWoman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:17:06 +0000

Tuesday, February 23 1-2pm, MotherWoman office
Art Party!!!!!! Come and decorate onesies with messages in support of paid sick leave! these onesies will be displayed at the Legislative Coffee Hour in support of Paid Sick Leave! Kids welcome! Be there!
Contact Marianne for more information.

Our Legislators want to know about our postpartum experiences. Can you believe it?

MotherWoman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:15:27 +0000

Share your stories with us. What happened? What was the worst moment? What helped? What didn't help? How are you now? We will keep your story anonymous or, with your permission, we will Include your name and town, and send your story to your legislator. Send to Liz. Or you can send your story directly to your legislator. To find your legislator click here. To find a sample letter you can send to your legislators in support of PPD legislation click here.