Strafford Moms Will ‘Act Up’
On Mother’s Day May 13

This Mother's Day, May 13, "Strafford Mothers Acting Up" will host our first Mother's Day parade in the spirit of Mother's Day as it was originally envisioned.

Beginning at noon at the United Church of Strafford, our parade will proceed around the Strafford common and will culminate with an assembly on the common, with speakers including former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin, writer Grace Paley and State Rep. Margaret Cheney.

In 1870, Julia Ward Howe started Mother's Day to unite mothers for peace and the well-being of all children. Her cry for action is still relevant in 2007.

We, mothers, realize that we live in a world that does not prioritize or protect our children's well-being. This will not change until we, mothers and others who want to protect and nurture our children, gather our courage and commit ourselves to speak out for the world's children, as if they were all our own.

When nearly half of the world's children live in poverty, it's time for mothers to go public. The purpose of this "grand procession" is to educate and inspire our local communities to move from concern to action on issues confronting children worldwide. Remember, the political, environmental, economic and social/cultural forces that we read about in the news are actually shaping our children's lives. The lives of our children are intertwined with the lives of the children next door and across the globe.

It's time for mothers to stretch wide our capable and loving arms, to make our voices heard and to bring our values and skills into the public arena, where policies are made.

Children's well-being is at the top of every mother's agenda. It's time to bring it to the top of our political agenda. With mothers and others from Los Angeles to New York City, we will march in celebration of a better world for our children.

Come women, come men, come children! Bring flags, posters, photos of children and banners with streamers. Come on stilts, in hats, and with children in wagons, tricycles or strollers and please carpool. Colorful, joyful, uplifting attire is encouraged! For more information, call Danette Harris at 802-765-4312 or go to www.mothersactingup.org.

Danette Harris, Mary Thompson, Joanna Hawkins, Jennifer Brown, Dori Wolfe, Linda Williams, Diana Leddy, Rebecca Seibel, all of Strafford; Barbara Mason, Thetford; Martina O'Donnell, West Brookfield