You might share about how you are engaging your children (i.e. future global citizens who are suddenly everywhere … )

You might share how you are Girlcotting an incredible company that sells Fair Trade and has a business model that totally blows your skirt up.

You might share how you are influencing policy by writing to, visiting or otherwise schmoozing your Senator. Homemade rhubarb pie, perhaps?

Or you might simply share a great fashion tip. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Beth and members of Zenit's family

This just in from MAU co-founder Beth Osnes, the creator, performer and force behind The Mother Tour. Beth has journeyed around the country and internationally to places as diverse as Panama, Canada, Vietnam and Guatemala with the workshop; Ethiopia is her most recent stop.

Traveling in Ethiopia was amazing! I was able to share the Mothers Acting Up Vocal Empowerment workshop with women in Addis Ababa and was so deeply touched by their concerns and their courage to rehearse using their voices to act on those concerns. I was also impressed with the work of the Population Media Center (my host for the workshop) that uses radio dramas to communicate positive social messages concerning women’s issues such as female genital mutilation, marriage by abduction, early marriage, and use of family planning.

I was there with Tiroir A Films, a documentary film company doing a film on population and the environment. Together we traveled to the villages to meet women who are the frontline heroes in turning around centuries-old traditions that keep women oppressed. Watch for the film, Pushing Ten Billion: Facing Our Last Taboo, which will feature the work of Mothers Acting Up. The movie culminates in the idea that it is through the empowerment of women that we will be able to start stabilizing our population growth and usher in a better future.

Here’s what this new law will do:  Now, when companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange pay governments to drill for oil and gas or mine gold and diamonds in their countries, they’ll be required to report that. It’s that simple. The fact is, far too often developing countries see money from their natural resources end up in the pockets of corrupt government officials.  But now, citizens will get to see exactly where this money is going—which means they can hold their governments accountable and make sure funds are spent on health care, clean water and the everyday necessities that everybody needs to lead healthy, productive lives.

It boils down to this: When governments are transparent, people can hold their governments accountable.  When people hold their governments accountable, real, positive change is possible. But one of the coolest things about this news? You played a huge role in making this happen. A few months ago, ONE members called their senators—sometimes repeatedly—in support of the Cardin-Lugar amendment, because we knew it would make a world of difference for the world’s poorest people if Congress would just get the job done.  So ONE members stood alongside our partners and key congressional champions, and together we came through in a big way.

Today our voices were heard and we won. This is a major win for the people who will be directly and positively affected by this law, and for everyone who believes in transparency and justice.  Thanks for all your hard work.

Kenia Feliz

Kenia’s job involves visiting mothers in the community to encourage them to seek prenatal care at the clinic. She visits every newborn in their homes within the first couple of days of life to educate mothers about breastfeeding and potential danger signs. Kenia keeps detailed records of visits, seeking out mothers who do not return for follow-up and visiting patients from the community when they are sent to the local hospital.

“Kenia Feliz is a role model and passionate champion for the wellbeing of women and children in her community,” added Sarah Henry, Executive Director of World Connect. “When we first met Kenia, she hadn’t finished high school. Now, she is pursuing her nursing degree and has countless medical trainings and certifications. She is not only a loving mother, but a respected community leader.”

World Connect is supporting hundreds of women like Kenia around the world through its World Connect Grants program. To learn more, visit www.worldconnect-us.org.

Today, MAU partners with

Last year, President Obama stood before the United Nations and made a powerful pledge to the world, “We will support the Millennium Development Goals, and approach next year’s summit with a global plan to make them a reality. And we will set our sights on the eradication of extreme poverty in our time.”

That bold plan is due this September. Help us ask President Obama to follow through on his pledge and take the lead on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Petition Text:

Dear President Obama,

Please lead a global effort to reach the Millennium Development Goals by their 2015 deadline. This effort must fight corruption, create new jobs, empower women and increase smart investments to beat poverty and disease. When you meet with world leaders in New York this September, please agree to a clear plan and commit our government to do its part to make this plan a reality.

The Millennium Development Goals are more than just a mouthful. They’re eight poverty-fighting goals—agreed to by more than 180 nations—that if achieved, would save millions of lives in the world’s poorest countries. They would help mothers deliver healthy babies, allow all boys and girls to go to school and ensure that women don’t have to walk hours to fetch water for their families. Most importantly, they would cut poverty in half. But the future of these lifesaving goals hangs in the balance as world leaders meet this September to discuss progress made, lessons learned and critical next steps.

By adding our names to this petition, we’re thanking the president for his words and asking him to now deliver on his promise. We’re letting him know that come September, we’ll be watching for a comprehensive plan with clear actions for all governments—rich and poor—that will produce real results over the next five years. We’re letting him know that we too support these goals and the hope, health, security and opportunity they offer to the world’s poorest people.

Together, let’s make this happen. Help us tell the President that now is the time to fulfill his commitment.

Share your thoughts in the comment box below and/or click for other TEDx talks.

Check out this post from 1Sky who joined hands in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., ensuring President Obama heard—and saw!— their message.

Catch photos from 350.org’s FaceBook group and videos & photos from Hands Across the Sand.

United we stand, for clean energy.

The “Super Star Kids” program came about as a ‘formal’ organization from what I’ve been doing for years, decades, all my life actually! I have always loved children and have felt part of my mission here on earth is to work with them. I’ve felt this from a very early age. I’ve also felt a “teacher” inside me and have worked with young people in many different ways—as an ‘art teacher’, some as a ‘camp leader’, other times as ‘program director’ or ‘counselor.’  At all times I’ve had one goal in mind: helping young people recognize and enhance the Super Person within them. I realize this is different for all people—the realization and motivational factor—and have studied how to encourage the best in each of us.

A few years ago I was introduced to an online program called “Strength Finder” which helped me identify and confirm that I am doing what I’m best at. I had thought for years that this would be great to use with young people as a qualitative way to identify their greatest strengths, then work with each one in whatever areas they score highest in, and throughout their adolescent years continually encourage and inspire each young person to their own greatness. I believe that a lack of realization of the greatness within each of us is what leads children astray. My goal and purpose in life is to help children follow a good course. I feel this can best be done working one-on-one with young people, and since I am limited in my humanness, unfortunately, to do this, I had an idea to go BIGGER, form a non-profit, gather together others with my same vision, love, and purpose, and work with more kids.

The kids we’re working with now understand that they are working to help others—little and big alike—find their greatness, and then the world can become a better and better place.

Our program is in the ‘forming a solid foundation’ stage right now; much good is happening, we’re moving ahead, we have a great team, and are gathering some absolutely wonderful Super Star Kids!

Check out: www.SuperStarKids.org

Becoming a mother was the most powerful, awe-inspiring experience of my life. It transformed me in every way possible, giving me an amazing opportunity to see the world through a new, fresh perspective. We as women truly have the power and ability to change the world.

We created life. How hard can it be?

We change the world by setting examples in our daily lives of how we want the world to function, starting with our children. I aspire to instill in my child the importance of giving back, not only because it is the “right” thing to do, but because it is the JUST thing to do.

I am incredibly blessed as I give back for a living working for an international non-profit organization, World Connect, which empowers local change-makers to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children, and newborns in their communities.

I encourage you to start changing the world today by introducing your children to our wonderful youth development program, Kids to Kids, a program that encourages kids to become global citizens, leaders, activists, and budding philanthropists. Oliver and I have already started by asking for donations instead of presents for his 1st birthday. We already have his passport ready to visit some of the projects we’ll support! It is never too early to pass on a sense of global responsibility and the importance of ensuring that all children have the opportunity to enjoy childhood and reach their full potential.

~Sarah and Oliver

Anna Fahey & the inspirational Audrey (looking a bit concerned ... )

I’m a new mom. I also happen to work for a policy think tank that focuses on sustainability issues—toxics, energy, transportation, etc. During my pregnancy, I started a blog series about questions of sustainability and parenting. It’s all about environmental issues as they affect my body and my new baby (and all her little friends) and my decisions as a parent—both personal and political.

Some of this is difficult material—toxics in our bodies and in our food, for example and what it means for developing bodies and brains. But my goal is to get parents thinking about important policy as well as personal decisions involved in growing healthy, “green” babies. My posts have tackled questions like whether to use cloth or disposable diapers, or whether or not to eat fish (all posts in the series are here: http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/series/sustainababy/).

Things slowed down for a while when I left on maternity leave, but I’m back at work now—with a healthy baby girl named Audrey as my inspiration—and I’m blogging again. Yesterday, I posted on a tough topic for any new mom: chemicals in breast milk: http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2010/04/28/is-breast-always-best

I hope you’ll visit the blog and join the conversation.

Best,
Anna Fahey
Sightline Institute

Share your own Cover Girl actions and thoughts in the comment box below and spread the inspiration …