This week, I attended Mom+Social, a day-long event focused on the intersection of motherhood and social media, technology and philanthropy. Sponsored by The UN Foundation, Johnson and Johnson, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Baby Center and The Huffington Post, the gathering concluded Global Mom Relay, a 60-day online conversation connecting online moms and experts to share their personal experiences and causes they are passionate about.
To say I was moved by the day's panels is an understatement, and I wanted to share a few of the highlights with you:
Christy Turlington Burns spoke about Every Mother Counts, the campaign she founded to end preventable deaths caused by pregnancy and childbirth around the world. As an advocate for global maternal health, Christy also made a documentary film called "No Woman, No Cry," which captures what is a profound issue for women around the world, even right here in the United States (Every Mother Counts has just given a grant to a midwife in Florida). I actually stepped out of the conference midday so I could attend a conference call with Christy and Culture Mom Media, where she was kind enough to speak to a group of bloggers about her work with Every Mother Counts.
I was inspired by the stories of Fortunata Kasege, an HIV positive mother who told her story on behalf of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and Ines Renique, of Girl Up, a campaign which "unites girls to change the world." I can't wait to hear more from non-profits like Games for Change (a Facebook game for charity) and Charity Miles, an app which makes raising money as easy as using your own two feet. Jennifer Lopez (THAT Jennifer Lopez), and her sister, Lynda, spoke about the work of the Lopez Family Foundation, which provides telemedicine services in developing countries.
Lastly, the words of Robbie Parker, who lost his daughter, Emilie, in the Newtown, CT school shooting brought us all to our knees. Amidst unspeakable tragedy, he made a plea for all of us to be continually inspired by our children and to live in the moment. You can find out more about supporting the arts from the fund they began in her honor, the Emilie Parker Art Connection.
I urge you to check out the list of speakers from Mom+Social (too many amazing ones to recount!) and if a particular cause speaks to you, get involved! Blogging provides a unique forum for spreading awareness, and I am so honored to be able to share my insights with you here.
To say I was moved by the day's panels is an understatement, and I wanted to share a few of the highlights with you:
Christy Turlington Burns spoke about Every Mother Counts, the campaign she founded to end preventable deaths caused by pregnancy and childbirth around the world. As an advocate for global maternal health, Christy also made a documentary film called "No Woman, No Cry," which captures what is a profound issue for women around the world, even right here in the United States (Every Mother Counts has just given a grant to a midwife in Florida). I actually stepped out of the conference midday so I could attend a conference call with Christy and Culture Mom Media, where she was kind enough to speak to a group of bloggers about her work with Every Mother Counts.
I was inspired by the stories of Fortunata Kasege, an HIV positive mother who told her story on behalf of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and Ines Renique, of Girl Up, a campaign which "unites girls to change the world." I can't wait to hear more from non-profits like Games for Change (a Facebook game for charity) and Charity Miles, an app which makes raising money as easy as using your own two feet. Jennifer Lopez (THAT Jennifer Lopez), and her sister, Lynda, spoke about the work of the Lopez Family Foundation, which provides telemedicine services in developing countries.
Lastly, the words of Robbie Parker, who lost his daughter, Emilie, in the Newtown, CT school shooting brought us all to our knees. Amidst unspeakable tragedy, he made a plea for all of us to be continually inspired by our children and to live in the moment. You can find out more about supporting the arts from the fund they began in her honor, the Emilie Parker Art Connection.
I urge you to check out the list of speakers from Mom+Social (too many amazing ones to recount!) and if a particular cause speaks to you, get involved! Blogging provides a unique forum for spreading awareness, and I am so honored to be able to share my insights with you here.
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