This book will challenge the myth that the role of a mother is to serve only her family, and demonstrate that motherhood is a perfect time to redefine and revitalize a woman’s political and social consciousness.

Mothers are a force to be reckoned with - even by their sheer numbers alone.

This huge, diverse group of women has traditionally been hard to track and define, let alone mobilize.  But it's also a group whose members increasingly say in books, blogs and polls-whether they work or stay at home- they are overwhelmed, weary of their traditional roles and ready for social change that will address the needs of women and children.  

As the most vulnerable segment of the population worldwide, women and children have always faced multiple barriers to recognizing their full potential.  Mothers, in particular, have been in the shadows.  Even though they are widely cited as the foundation and strength of every family unit, in most areas of the world they have only recently been given a political voice and protection of their basic human rights.

In industrialized countries like the U.S, mothers today are working longer hours-but also spending more hours with their children.  They earn less than men for equal work and continue to face discrimination in the workplace. Affordable childcare is scarce and many mothers are forced to abandon their livelihood due to lack of flexible employment options.

In developing nations, mothers have additional hurdles.  High rates of illiteracy and poverty prevent millions of mothers from knowing how to help themselves and many suffer from severe health conditions, including extremely high death rates from pregnancy and birth complications.  Additionally, many women and girls endure the increased violence and systemic brutality of war with little or no recourse from their society.

Mothers and women have lived for generations within this context of gender inequality, but world leaders now know that human and economic development is stunted by discrimination and injustice.  When women are empowered to live full and productive lives, their children prosper- and so does society.

The challenge mothers face is when they’re at the age to bring about revolution, they’re too young to know there is a problem. When they’re old enough to know there is a problem, most are just trying to manage the mundane and feel too overwhelmed to be political activists.  

Yet, the tide has started to turn and a new generation of caregivers are rising up, speaking out, and acting up to bring about change. Inspiring Mothers: Wisdom and Activism from Mothers Around the World will be the first book to showcase 13 mothers raising young children and improving their communities and beyond through dedicated social advocacy. A collection of stories and photographs sharing life experiences and advice from mothers around the world, Inspiring Mothers will offer both renewed hope and concrete ideas for how mothers can find their voice, influence, and purpose outside the home.

In partnership with Mothers Acting Up, Amie Nelson- mother, medical practitioner and community organizer- is compiling these portraits following an extensive worldwide call for nominations that produced hundreds of nominees and stories of mothers who are making a difference.  On a journey through five continents, Amie will interview and photograph mothers to learn how they are creating a blueprint for hope in the world.

Mothers like Lorena in Costa Rica.  Through her tenacious work, indigenous women have been empowered in the field of sustainable development and environmental conservation in Latin America.  Or Hangama, a mother of twin daughters, working ardently to secure national policies for the protection of children’s rights in Afghanistan.  Or Joan and Catherine, two mothers of teenagers who developed an international women’s fair trade cooperative, using U.S. school fundraisers as their primary marketplace.  Or Tlaleng, who since the deaths of her first two children to HIV, has made a difference in the lives of many through bringing HIV/AIDS education to her village in Lesotho.

Mothers are a universal symbol of the unique power women have to get things done, to survive insurmountable odds, and to help others in need.  Yet some, overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising children and running households, say “I’m concerned about the world- I just don’t have time or energy to make a difference.”  They assume it must be a full-time job to be involved in community advocacy. 

These are the women Inspiring Mothers will reach out to with a message and living examples that even small efforts can make a big difference.  What you teach your children through your daily activity has the potential to create great shifts in their future. And being empowered to take what is important to you on a personal level out into the world can and will create great momentum for change. It can help you find true purpose in life.

Inspiring Mothers is a gateway to help mothers realize their inner strength and wisdom-- their untapped potential.  This book will encourage a million or more mamas to look at their role through a wider lens and emancipate those who believe their responsibility as mother is limited to caring for their own children.  Inspiring Mothers will create more awareness that the larger environment in which our children live is in need of motherly love and attention- and show us what mothers, as a collective force, can do when we unite to create social justice.

“As the first African woman to receive this prize, I accept it on behalf of the people of Kenya and Africa, and indeed the world. I am especially mindful of women and the girl child. I hope it will encourage them to raise their voices and take more space for leadership . . . As a mother, I appreciate the inspiration this brings to the youth and urge them to use it to pursue their dreams.”                         – Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate