There are so many people getting political these days, it’s hard to keep up with all of them. So here’s a quick round-up of some great writing — and an inspiration — for this week’s Mothers of Intention post!
Elisa from MotherTalkers (and my new acquaintance from Netroots Nation!) was extremely active in trying to get California to join in the growing call to ban BPA in plastic containers used by babies and toddlers. This isn’t a new topic — my friends over at the League of Maternal Justice have taken this on in the past, as well — but it’s one that’s not getting the attention it should. Why? Apparently hormones are used in these hard plastic containers and when they’re are subjected to repeated washings, especially in the extreme heat of dishwashers, the hormones leach out into the water, juices and milk that our children drink from them.
The California effort wasn’t successful, but it’s interesting to note Elisa’s take on why the ban wasn’t successful in last week’s vote. So I have to ask, how many other pieces of legislation get voted down that directly impact women and children in our country because lobbyists have more time and money than we do?
Many mothers (and fathers) participated on a great web chat last week that I worked on with one of Fem 2.0 blog founders, Gloria Pan. No one was shy about sharing their thoughts and ideas on how to change the dialogue in the media about working families and working mothers in particular! Does it seem to you like the media are stuck in a kind of rote shorthand about working families that makes it all sound like we’re a bunch of whiny children who are looking to our employers for special favors to make things easier? In reality, employers would actually benefit in worker productivity and in their bottom line, if they focused on what families need to keep all those plates spinning. So perhaps it’s fair to take a look at what role reporters play in perpetuating the myth that workplace flexibility is something that: (a) only women need, and (b) that it only benefits working mothers.
And one of my soon-to-be dinner dates at Type A Mom Conference is getting in on some of the political action at her place, Uppercase Woman. Be careful — after we get together later this month, I have a feeling I may have a new partner in my attempt at benevolent world domination!
And while not political, can ANYONE be more a Mother of Intention than Kim Clijsters? Don’t you LOVE this photo??
You go, girls!
Every woman, every mother, every daughter, every son — OK, just everyone — needs to embrace what this photo means for working mothers and what’s possible!
Tue, September 15, 2009
Changing the World, Making Our Political Voices Heard, Moms & Politics, Mothers of Intention, Women in Politics