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Early Learning Nation magazine asked some of our favorite people, “What’s one thing our readers can do to make the world better for mothers?” Here鈥檚 what they said.
鈥淭here are, of course, many things one can do for the individual mothers in their life, but I鈥檇 like to encourage you to take action on behalf of聽all mothers. Because let鈥檚 face it, mothers in this country face many systemic challenges, and those challenges demand systemic solutions. I know this seems daunting, but a good place to start is to simply choose one issue that affects moms in this country (and matters to you) and engage in one advocacy activity related to that issue, such as placing a call to your elected official, writing an op-ed or even posting on social media.鈥�
鈥擠r. Dana L. Suskind, founder and co-director of , and author of
鈥淢others and caregivers are rarely recognized鈥攎uch less compensated for our various forms of motherwork (including聽education, othermothering,聽community care work聽and other forms of social聽activism). The way to聽make the world better聽is to protect us and our children from oppressive systems that limit access to equitable education, child care, health care, housing and paid leave to聽support our children and our own sense of well-being.鈥�
鈥擟rystasany Turner, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching & Learning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
鈥淭he one thing we can all do to make the world better for mothers is to encourage them to show up as their selves. By this I mean supporting them as they are being true to themselves, stimulating their spirit of confidence, plus honoring and respecting their beliefs and practices. This is how we can not only make it better for them but build a commUNITY of belonging!鈥�
鈥擬argo Ford Crosby, director of pre-K and before/after school for the Alamance-Burlington School System鈥檚 Early Learning Community
鈥淥ne thing we can do to make the world better for mothers is to expect of fathers what we expect of mothers. I know a few primary caregiver dads, and many partners, including my own, striving for more equity; but until fair play is the norm, our mothers and daughters won’t reach their full potential in terms of worldly success, and our fathers and sons are missing out on the gifts of connection and nurturing.鈥�
鈥擜nya Kamenetz, senior advisor at
鈥淭he world will be a better place for mothers when the voices of聽all聽mothers are heard and honored. Birthing and parenting experiences should not be wrought with societally imposed barriers.鈥�
鈥擠awn Shanafelt, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Maternal & Infant Health
鈥淚 would encourage everyone to welcome asylum seekers and refugees into their community. The first few years of motherhood are challenging for everyone, but they are especially difficult for mothers who have had to flee their communities and build new lives in the United States. As a child of immigrants and a mother of two kids under four, I know how important it is to have access to child care and other early childhood resources. Part of welcoming refugee mothers is making sure that they have access to critical resources so their children can thrive.鈥�
鈥擲wapna Reddy, co-executive director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project
鈥淯niversal child care. Imagine how nice it would be if the U.S. joined the other industrialized nations in caring for our moms, dads and their children. Relieves financial stress, supports moms who want to work enter the workforce, helps all children thrive and makes financial sense. A win win win win.鈥�
鈥擪athy Hirsh Pasek, professor of psychology, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and coauthor of
“One thing you can do to make the world better for mothers and their children is to become an advocate for a swift transition from fossil fuel, which is the root cause of climate change and air pollution that are seriously affecting the health of pregnant women, their babies and children. By speaking out to others, urging policymakers to implement climate and clean air legislation and by voting for representatives who take the threats to children鈥檚 health and future seriously, you can make a huge difference.”
鈥擣rederica Perera, founder of the , and author of
鈥淥ne thing the world can do for mothers is to remind them that they鈥檙e an inspiration. A mother鈥檚 job truly never stops!聽They do the cooking, cleaning and bill paying. They鈥檙e raising babies, wiping tears, worrying and praying for their children, even when they鈥檙e adults.聽So many never make time for themselves. They truly are an inspiration.鈥�
鈥擱achel Campbell-Dotson, executive director at East Kentucky Dream Center
鈥淭his Mother’s Day, join an organization that advocates for care programs that support mothers and families, including the care they need for their children, themselves, and older or disabled loved ones.鈥�
鈥擜nna Shireen Wadia, executive director of the
鈥淲e can make our world a better place by committing to support all mothers鈥攏ot just the ones who have historically and traditionally been uplifted and resourced. If we create a world where young Black and single mothers, who are disproportionately impacted by systemic oppression and racism in this country, are fully supported and thriving, then all mothers will benefit.鈥�
鈥擭icole Lynn Lewis, founder and executive director of
鈥淧lease encourage more mothers to run for elected office. It’s no coincidence that the U.S. trails much of the world in women’s representation in policymaking bodies鈥攆rom school boards to Congress鈥攁nd lags in enactment of family-friendly policies, from paid parental leave and affordable child care to sensible gun laws. Studies show that women in office are more likely than their male counterparts to shape policies that support the health and wellbeing of聽everyone鈥攅specially children, women and families. Your vote matters in putting families first.鈥�
鈥擜tiya Weiss, executive director at
鈥淎ll mothers wish for a world where their children鈥檚 dreams can be realized and even exceeded. The best gift we can give on Mother鈥檚 Day is to create and sustain a community that champions all children.聽No more inequities, no more barriers and no more excuses preventing each child from reaching their full potential.鈥�
鈥擩ennifer Headley-Nordman, president of
鈥淥ne thing you can do to make the world better for mothers is to actively work towards creating a more equitable and just society that recognizes and values the unpaid and often invisible labor of motherhood. This can include advocating for policies that address the gender wage gap, promote affordable health care and education and support working families. Another way you can make the world better for mothers is to engage in acts of kindness and support towards the mothers in their own lives, whether it’s offering to help with child care, providing emotional support or simply expressing gratitude for all they do. These small actions can go a long way in making mothers feel valued and appreciated.鈥�
鈥擲tephanie Spencer, executive director of
“We make the world better for moms by making sure they have the time and support they need to take care of themselves and those they care for. Paid leave, affordable and quality child care options and access to mental health supports would make a big difference. Use your voice to advocate for the change mothers need.”
鈥擩ustine Davenport, director of advocacy at
“Advocate for things that would support moms and people giving birth, including accessible and affordable聽care pre- and postpartum, affordable child care and universal health care.”
鈥擬archel Marcos, political director at
This story originally published on Early Learning Nation and is now archived on 蜜桃影视. Learn more here.
Mark Swartz writes about efforts to improve early care and education as well as developments in the U.S. care economy. He lives in Maryland.
Articles by Art Hondros