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So! I Heard from MomsRising
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Good thing I haven't finished that piece for Literary Mama yet because MomsRising and I are officially cool.

I received a personal email from Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner yesterday afternoon in which MomsRising acknowledged my concerns and mentioned they too had concerns about the logo. When their new site launches in a few months, Rosie will be GONE! In fact, they were already in the process of revamping their logo.

MomsRising also invited me to blog for them about breastfeeding and mothers issues, to which I said, "Yes, I'd be delighted". I have always agreed with MomsRising's programs and advocacy. I just couldn't support them with that logo looming so large over the organization. With Rosie gone, I will now be one of their most vocal supporters.

I want to THANK all of you who passed links and talked about this issue on message boards and on your blogs. I am always amazed by the power of the Internet in general and blogs specifically. This is a truly amazing medium; one that allows me to sit at my desk in the North Carolina mountains, speak my peace and be heard. Wow!

I'm on Capessa.com!

My very first entry about breastfeeding, When Nursing in Public Was Normal, has been posted on Capessa.com. I am grateful for this opportunity because I can share my insights about breastfeeding history with more people.

I started a conversation in my post and would love it if you came and joined in. Let's spread the word about breastfeeding in public and how only recently it has become a shunned practice. I hope to see you there.

Have a great Wednesday.

Labels: breastfeeding history, momsrising

posted by Jennifer James @ 11:42 PM,

9 Comments:

At September 19, 2007 10:06 AM, Eilat said...: Wow! My jaw just dropped. Congratulations, Jennifer. You have helped make significant change in a pretty large organization. You rock!
At September 19, 2007 10:07 AM, Dawn said...: Congratulations! And how wonderful to know that you are effecting REAL CHANGE!!! (And I'd still love to have an op-ed from you about any old subject you want to write about. :)
At September 19, 2007 11:15 AM, Doulala said...: Wow Jennifer! I am so impressed. It's an honor to say I "know" you. Please keep up the wonderful work that you are doing for all women.
At September 19, 2007 11:51 AM, rach said...: That's awesome, I'm so glad it was resolved positively.
At September 19, 2007 10:57 PM, roslynholcomb said...: Terrific! I'm so glad they listened. Guess that'll teach me to be so cynical.
At September 20, 2007 1:29 AM, PacificMod said...: Hi Jennifer! I'm a woman of color on the MomsRising executive team, and I'm so glad you brought this up on your blog. Most of us on the team know that Rosie means different things to different people. You eloquently showed the truth of that in your original blog post.

I'm proud to be part of this team because we're really responsive to member input. We've been hearing about the need to demonstrate more diversity in our materials, and I couldn't agree more. Instead of using an image that means different things to different people, we want to show that we've got a single message-- to build a truly family-friendly America. Not just for some people, but for every single person who considers themselves a caregiver. A diverse group indeed!

One of the deepest experiences we've had regarding race had to do with the petition on Imus we wrote when his comments came out. There was a lot of thoughtful discussion on the team about whether this was within our M-O-T-H-E-R-S platform. I urged MomsRising to take this on because I felt that as a mother, I had to speak out against this - what kind of media do I want my daughter consuming? What messages do I want her hearing, believing? Definitely not the tripe coming from Imus and his ilk. I felt this fit squarely in our T platform (Television We Choose and Other After School Programs).

There was disagreement and respectful (and passionate) discussion. Though there were plenty of people (frankly, probably white) who told us they didn't see why MomsRising was addressing this, I remain grateful that there were and are plenty who see exactly why it's so important for MomsRising to stand up against bigoted comments and stand up not only with people of color, but as people of color.

Diversity is not a peripheral goal- it's integral to the growth and integrity of our organization. I hope that one day very soon, the membership of MomsRising will reflect the vast diversity of mothers/caregivers in the US. How powerful we'll be when we all stand together! Thanks again, Jennifer.
At September 20, 2007 2:06 AM, PacificMod said...: p.s. Here's the link to the Imus petition that I copied into my blog: http://pacificmod.blogspot.com/2007/04/momsrising-and-imus.html
At September 20, 2007 8:17 AM, Jennifer James said...: Thanks everyone! I am amazed by what a little blog ranting can do. I am also equally amazed by how receptive MomsRising was to my concerns. I'm just amazed all around! I can't believe it.
At September 20, 2007 12:47 PM, Mama Bear said...: Wow Wow Wow. That is amazing. They heard you; they really listened. Yay! I love resolutions like this! :)