,

It’s the night before many people gather with family across the country for yummy pies – and I have a story about our work together to share. In a room full of cynical people in DC last week, just after fights had broken out between Republican leaders in Congress like bad two-year-olds in need of a nap, I realized that no matter the cynicism that was rising in that inside-the-Beltway room, it wasn’t sticking to me.

I’ve got Big Mom Energy.

• Why? Because despite odds (and campaign funding) regularly being stacked against us, when we raise our voices together we WIN.
  
  
• Why? Because moms came together with others in Ohio in the first week of November and voted to make sure that our children don’t have fewer rights than we did. Ohio was a major victory.
  
  
• Why? Because the extremist group, Moms For Liberty, who tried to “mom wash” an agenda of bans, censorship, and harm (which the Southern Poverty Law Center named an “extremist” hate group due to their agenda¹), LOST 70% of their 134 endorsed extremist school board races according to the Progress Report² because real parents came out to vote in early November. These extremist losses are giant victories for freedom and justice.
  
  
• Why? Because of MomsRising’s recent national legislative successes, which include, in the last year alone, playing a key role in passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the PUMP for Working Mothers Act, one year of healthcare coverage for all birthing people, expanded healthcare coverage for young adults, increased national mental health supports, and a 30% increase in the Child Development Block Grants. Major victories!

Why? Because of YOU! Thank you.

Together we have big, powerful, mom energy that gets things done.

That’s why I’ve been running around my neighborhood (literally running, you know how it goes!) wearing my BIG MOM ENERGY bright red sweatshirt with a smile on my face. Wearing it reminds me that together we can do BIG THINGS and also that I’m not alone in the fight for our children and for a future where everyone can thrive.

* Do you want a Big Mom Energy – or MomsRising – sweatshirt (or t-shirt or hat) too?

Don’t get me wrong. We still have a lot of work to do together. Our voices, our stories, our pressure on public officials is still very much needed: Childcare still costs more than college, we still don’t have a national paid family/medical leave program like nearly every other nation does on the planet, we still face devastating pay discrimination just for being moms (with moms of color experiencing compounded pay discrimination due to structural racism), and the list goes on.

You know it, I know it, we know it: The multiple crises we each face are big, but we see the research that shows how to solve them and know what legislation it will take to move our nation forward. And, importantly, we know that when this many people are facing the same types of struggles at the same time, we don’t have an epidemic of personal failures; we have national structural issues that we can solve together. Solutions. Are. Possible.

So we’re all in! And we’re all in with our hopeful, big mom, dad, parent and caregiver energy! And we’re thankful that you’re all in too. Here’s some of what you had to say last week when we asked you about what was happening in your community:

The four candidates in our school board election, who were supported by Moms for Liberty, all were defeated! Election visibility and disseminating factual information matters!
- Monica from MN

Moms that show leadership with compassion & incredible intelligence & do not let people shut them down give me hope.
- Lorna from HI

I find hope that I am raising a son that believes all people should be treated equally. We were thankful that the Ohio postcard campaign we participated in helped make a difference and allows women in Ohio to have reproductive freedom!!!
- Michele from FL

We still have a lot of work to do together. Fortunately, We Are MomsRising, and together we’re a truly unstoppable force getting out the vote, shifting the narrative, and updating outdated state and national legislation so everyone can thrive. 

Through it all, it’s you, and the change we’re building together, that I’m incredibly proud of and am beyond grateful for right now.

Thank you.

→ Here’s the link again to our just-updated merch, where you can get Big Mom Energy gear and so much more for you, for holiday gifts, or for someone you adore -> https://merch.momsrising.org

With immense gratitude,

- Kristin

P.S. Not interested in merch right now, or want to support us in an additional way? Click here to make a direct end-of-year donation. Together, We Are MomsRising!

[1] Southern Poverty Law Center
[2] Substack - Progress Report: Moms For Liberty LOST 70% of their 134 endorsed candidates

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