“Don't Be Disco-nnected From Families" Mombassador Program Reflections
When you are raising young kids who learn at the speed of light, you have to do what you can to keep up with them. You have to evolve, and you have to adapt. You learn very quickly as a parent that taking the weight of the world on your own is not an option. Parents roll up their sleeves, they organize, they talk to each other, and they make their voices heard. So, when I saw the invite pop up for MomsRising’s Disco-themed Mombassador event, it was exactly what I needed to set me free from the deep news blues I had been experiencing. My jukebox mind started playing Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” and I sang it loud enough to believe that survival is possible, even if it doesn’t feel real at the moment.
I headed to DC to soak up some much-needed MomsRising vibes and help out on this day of action. Being with my fellow MomBassadors, seeing familiar faces and new faces, was so uplifting, and the best kind of redirection for the negative thought loops we can easily get sucked into. It gave me hope, energy, and fighting spirit again. The day started with welcoming remarks from MomsRising founder, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, who always speaks with such clarity and passion. Kristin’s remarks echoed exactly what I and other moms and caregivers had been feeling. She spoke about how the state of the nation was affecting our lives and our mental health. That hit close to home, but I held back the tears and focused on the adorable sparkling babies in the table next to me. As it turns out, giggling babies in disco ball costumes are a guaranteed mood booster, and this is exactly what this event was about.
Using sparkles, humor, and common sense to get legislators and lawmakers reconnected with their constituents, and the issues and challenges they are facing every day. Talking to each other one-on-one, listening to each other, and remembering our core values and guiding principles. After moms had a chance to share with each other, we hydrated, ate a hearty breakfast, and headed over to Capitol Hill in groups. We were armed with purposeful hearts, an earnest attitude, and storybooks with real MomsRising life stories that illustrate the challenges faced by the over 1 million members of MomsRising.
I was flying solo that day, but it made me so happy that in our group we had ten-month-old Helena and three-year-old Zoriah, and their dedicated moms. The littlest among us proved to be our most enthusiastic and expressive activists. Little Zoriah, the youngest of three, and very sure of herself, held her mom’s hand and helped us to introduce MomsRising as a grassroots organization, educate staff on the number of MomsRising members living in their district, and deliver our stories and awards.
We visited the offices of Democrats and Republicans alike. Some of my favorite moments were giving Rep. Pete Aguilar’s (Democrat, CA-33) office his award for fighting for families, and when little Zoriah sat at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (Democrat, NY-14) desk like she owned the place. It was so symbolic and cemented for me how important it is for children to see their parents taking action to better their own lives and the lives of those around them. At one point, we needed to interrupt baby Helena’s feeding, and my soft lullaby calmed a cranky, hungry cry. Goodness, how I miss those baby days. And although I needed to leave early to pick up my own little ones from school, I was so honored to meet Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA-07), whose smile is simply contagious, as is her commitment to parents, children, and families.
Many of us often feel that lawmakers have lost sight of what is most important. Our families. Our communities. Making sure our kids can go to school safely, learn in peace, and are free to pursue their happiness wherever it may be. These are fundamental rights, which are currently being threatened, and we are not staying silent. Being a DC Area Mombassador gives you the opportunity to make yourself heard and to connect with other moms and legislators on a personal level. It lets them know that we are watching, that we are listening, that we are holding them accountable, and that we are still fighting for a country that is kind, respectful, and compassionate for all. Not just a select few.
To join our Mombassador program, head over to our website and sign up today!
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