All Blog Posts

02/27/15

Did you know that every school is required to have a Wellness Policy, covering topics like school celebrations and rewards, physical activity, and nutrition education? It's true! According to recent updates, schools also have to engage parents in the policies. This is a perfect opportunity for parents, like you and I, to get involved! To help you engage with your school, and learn more about the policies, MomsRising is holding a #FoodFri tweetchat this Friday, February 27, 2015, to discuss the updated School Wellness Policy rules. Joining us on the chat will be @CSPI. Feel free to ask...

Migdalia Rivera

politics & policy

02/27/15

One of my sheroes is Sojourner Truth. A brilliant but illiterate woman, she was a great orator and powerful presence who possessed great courage and determination. I often wear a pendant with her image and words: “If women want any rights more than they’s got, why don’t they just take them, and not be talking about it.” An unwavering defender of women’s rights and an abolitionist, Sojourner continues to fuel my determination to fight for equality for women, people of color, and children left behind. She was born into and lived nearly three decades in slavery but dedicated her life to...

Marian Wright Edelman

healthcare

02/27/15

We all want our children to be safe and healthy. Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease, but, fortunately, we can prevent it with immunizations. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and the best way to protect your child against measles and other diseases. I understand that some parents are concerned about vaccines. The evidence about the vaccine’s safety and benefits is strong and consistent. There is a lot of inaccurate information circulating about the measles vaccine, so let’s make sure we separate the facts from the myths. If you have any concerns or...

Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General

healthcare

02/27/15

On Tuesday MomsRising volunteers and their kids met with Senators on Capitol Hill to discuss Medicaid and deliver YOUR stories!

Elyssa Koidin Schmier

Food!

02/26/15

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide important recommendations on diet, nutrition and health, and serve as the foundation for federal food-assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps), WIC and school meals. The USDA and Department of Health and Human Services are expected to release updated guidelines by the end of this year; they were last updated in 2010. As part of the process, an Advisory Committee (DGAC) has just released a scientific report, which provides advice for the final policy report on essential nutrients, the importance of physical activity, sustainability, the food...

Karen Showalter

Food!

02/26/15

This week we're talking about the importance of healthy school breakfast, sharing Sunday food traditions, and announcing a special Google+ Hangout taking place next Tuesday night. Please read, share and stay awesome! Thank you! 1. HOT LINE Learn & Spread the Word About the School Breakfast Program You know the old saying: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is especially true for school-aged children who are growing, learning, and trying to achieve. So what happens when they can’t get breakfast at home? Luckily we have the School Breakfast Program in more than 89,000...

Karen Showalter

Blog Carnivals

02/26/15

Oscar fact: Iñarritu is the 5th consecutive foreign-born person to win the best director award, although no other winner has been the butt of an immigration joke. Also, at a time when 11 million lives – three-quarters women and children – are in limbo due to Congress’s inaction on immigration, we need action, not jokes. That is why we have dedicated this space to talking about the real issues, real insights, and real complexities relating to immigration, contemporary culture, and yes- to the Oscars, too.

Mary Olivella

Blog Carnivals family economic security Food! healthcare

02/25/15

My commitment to breastfeeding started as a young mother. I believe it is the best start we can give our babies. My first child was not breastfed because of a myth that my husband had. He believed that the breasts were not meant for that purpose because it was an old fashioned concept. He also believed that the breasts were a means of pleasure. I, on the other hand, did not see things the same way. I relented to his wishes not to breastfeed, but vowed that any children that I had after the first would be breastfed. All of my other children were breastfeed for at least 2 years. I didn’t know...

Gaylean Woods

Blog Carnivals family economic security Food! healthcare

02/25/15

Can you talk about your commitment to breastfeeding support, and how you began? My interest and commitment to infant feeding support developed out of my clinical, graduate, and personal experiences. As a public health nurse working with pregnant and parenting African American women and their families, I observed infant feeding disparities within our client population. At intake, the majority of our clients would state an intention to exclusively breastfeed; however many clients encountered challenges (e.g. lack of support and limited resources) and were unable to successfully initiate or...

Dr. Ifeyinwa Asiodu

Take Action!

Food!

02/25/15

Whether they're putting our kids' favorite characters on junk food packaging, sending special deals and invitations via mobile phones, or sponsoring school events and materials, companies are purposefully bypassing parents to cultivate our kids into what they hope will be lifelong consumers of unhealthy foods. Pretty scary, right?

Karen