Saturday, May 4, 2024

2024 Mother's Day Gift Guide for Mom Activists

Image: Cynthia smiling in front of the U.S. Capitol 
wearing a "Big Mom Energy" t-shirt from MomsRising

Mother’s Day is coming up fast on Sunday, May 12. Do you have a mother or a mom-friend who thinks flowers are just okay, but she’d really prefer a cleaner planet, paid family leave, gunsense policies, health care access for all children, or reproductive rights? Here’s a quick list of ideas for presents for activist moms in 2024. IN A RUSH?? Scroll down for gift suggestions that can get there quickly, especially if you have Amazon Prime.

T-shirts and journals from MomsRising

Image: Woman wearing a tshirt saying "Raising
our children, Raising our voices"

MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to achieve economic security for all moms, women, and families in the United States. They’re a fantastic group for beginning advocates who like to take regular on-line actions on a variety of mom-related issues. They also have some of the cutest mom-advocate merchandise around! I’m especially fond of my “Big Mom Energy” shirt and floral “Raising Our Children Raising Our Voices” shirt. They also have a “Mom Power Planner” journal for her to keep all her plans and schemes for the future! Visit their store here.

Image: Hands holding a notebook that says
"Mom Power Planner"

T-shirt, wine glasses, or journal from Moms Demand Action


Image: The classic red Moms Demand
t-shirt in a maternity size
Is your mom committed to ending gun violence in America? Then she may appreciate something from Moms Demand Action. Aside from the iconic red Moms Demand shirt, two of my favorite things in their store right now are a “You messed with the wrong mom” scoop neck t-shirt (on sale now for $21 down from $35) and the “Be Nice” notebook with a favorite quote from Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School, that says, “Be nice to each other, it’s really all that matters.” They also have stemless wine glasses with the Moms Demand logo perfect for toasting gun sense policy victories! Visit their store here.

By the way, the red t-shirt comes in MATERNITY SIZING! I've never seen an organization have maternity logo t-shirts before and I love it!!!

Image: Woman wearing t-shirt saying "You
messed with the wrong mom."

Apron from Mothers Out Front

Warning: Do not buy this unless your mom genuinely loves to cook or this could go badly if she thinks you just want her to cook for you.

Mothers Out Front is an organization of volunteers coming together climate issues and racial justice. One of the most practical items in their store is a blue Activist Adjustable Kitchen Apron. Visit their store here.

Image: Woman wearing a blue apron with 
the Mothers Out Front logo

LAST MINUTE GIFTS

Advocacy How-To Books

Image: Cover art for "From Changing
Diapers to Changing the World"

If a mom would like to build her advocacy skills to create the world she wants to live in, here are two advocacy books that can be an antidote to political hopelessness. Both can give her skills to apply to any social justice issue she is passionate about. If you have Amazon prime, you can have them shipped for free quickly!

The first one (full disclosure…I wrote it) speaks especially to moms who need a boost stepping into their own maternal power or want to become more powerful by learning new advocacy skills. From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started is full of inspirational stories and step-by-step instructions to take actions on any of her favorite issues. You can get an autographed copy from my website inscribed with her name in it. Or, it’s available on Amazon where the ebook price is 50% on sale through May 15 and the hardcover version is 54% on sale while supplies last. 

Image: Cover art for "Reclaiming
Our Democracy"
My next recommendation is the new 2024 version of Sam Daley-Harris’ Reclaiming Our Democracy. Sam is especially great at empowering those feeling hopeless about the state of politics and democracy in American today. He educates folks about transformational advocacy that can have a profound impact on both members of Congress and the volunteers who lobby them!






Donation gifts from Save the Children

Image: Boy playing soccer barefoot
wearing a Uganda jersey. Picture 
from savethechildren.org
Gifts of charity donations can always be printed out and presented immediately! 

Save the Children is a direct service charity that works in over 100 countries doing whatever it takes — every day and in times of crisis — to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. At their online gift catalog, you can make a donation to buy certain things to help the children they serve. For instance, you can donate $15 for a soccer ball or $20 for a clean water kit. Visit the gift catalog here.








Image: Book cover

Buy an autographed copy of "From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started" at my website www.changyit.com or order it from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any independent bookstore!