More Than A Magazine, A Movement
Celebrated on the second Sunday in May, this holiday is dedicated to honoring mothers’ bonds and contributions. However, in a society that does not provide crucial support for women, it often seems superficial.
In the “Moms Deserve More Flower Store,” bouquets range from $800 billion for the Unpaid Work Bouquet to $3,500 for the Mental Stress Bouquet—representing the real value of mothers’ work. The price tags highlight the ways in which our current national policies and COVID-19 relief efforts are failing to support our mothers.
Mothers’ Day Movement (MDM) was founded by a small group of women who believe in making a difference for women around the globe.
“Americans are expected to spend $25 billion this Mother’s Day on flowers, earrings and meals. Go ahead: These women are worth it and more! But let’s remember that a tenth of that sum would save large numbers of lives of moms around the world. The Mothers’ Day Movement is a worthy effort to honor mothers in part by saving mothers’ lives.”
“In Our Mothers’ Gardens”—the new documentary by debut filmmaker Shantrelle P. Lewis, from Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY films—is a deeply personal film exploring the relationships between Black mothers and daughters.
Having realized the horrors of illegal abortions in 1969 when her best friend was forced to undergo an illegal procedure, she knew something must be done. That is why in 1991 after years of tirelessly advocating for reproductive justice, Schorr pitched the idea of a national independent fund for poor women who were unable to pay for safe and legal abortions.
Now, more than ever, conflicting political and social perspectives reflect a need for women to collectively define our moral imperatives, clarify cultural values, and inspire meaningful change—especially to our daughters.
“Despite the excruciating pain, fear and loss, I still had an essential job to do. Because … as a mom and parent, meeting my child’s needs came first. Today, mothers around the country are also trying to meet their children’s needs.”
Writer and professor Gloria González-López recalls her mother’s words In Spanish and English throughout the years in this moving personal essay.
“Do not put any makeup on her. I think that when she grows up, she going to be like those women who think and write.”
“The priest is a man; the priest is not God.”
“Soy una sirvienta sin sueldo”—I am a maid with no pay.
Online learning is affecting families and teachers. And while we struggle through what crisis schooling looks like, it’s important to celebrate the mom and teacher victories.
We know that mothers across the world move mountains every day to give their children a brighter future—despite the challenges they face. They are nurturing, resilient and resourceful.
Thursday nights—when my dad met his boys for tennis at the 59th Street courts, followed by burgers and drinks at PJ Clark’s—the ladies gathered in the living room to talk about the breakdown of communication in their marriages, the insidious and daily oppression they felt, the depression and malaise in the absence of career or workplace engagement.